Racing
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Lando Norris said his first real drive on the Nürburgring Nordschleife was the most fun he has had all year, after finally experiencing in person a circuit he had known for years through simulation and Max Verstappen’s GT racing.
The reigning 2025 Formula 1 world champion got his chance during a recent Pirelli test at the Nürburing, where he also drove laps of the Nordschleife in a McLaren road car. Norris said he was "absolutely" thrilled by the experience and felt the track lived up to its reputation.
"To be honest, it was the most fun experience of the year," Norris said. "It was really amazing. It is also a circuit I have driven for years in Gran Turismo and iRacing. It has been in the simulator for years and it is one of those tracks everyone wants to drive. Whether you are a racing driver or not, it is always cool because it is so unique."
That made the outing more than a novelty lap. Norris said it was his first chance to drive the Nordschleife for real despite his many visits to the Nürburgring, and he described finally ticking it off his list as something he felt lucky to do.
The appeal of the track did not hide its risks. Norris called the Nordschleife a difficult and risky circuit and admitted the lap was "quite frightening" even in a McLaren road car, but said the enjoyment still outweighed the fear.
Part of that familiarity came from watching Verstappen. Norris said he had seen all the onboards and followed all of Verstappen’s GT races at the Nordschleife closely enough to feel he already knew the layout by heart before turning a wheel himself. He also said he has friends in GT racing and has followed the category for years, which only added to the sense that the track matched everything people say about it.
That also explains why Norris is now paying close attention to the Nürburgring 24 Hours. He said the event remains "one of the best races on the planet" and plans to watch as much of it as he can in May while keeping a close eye on Verstappen.
Norris’s comments came with an acknowledgment of the danger around the Nordschleife following the recent death of Juha Miettinen. He called it sad that a life had been lost at the previous race, but added that "that can always happen in racing" and that it is "not only this circuit" where such consequences are possible.
His support for Verstappen comes as the Red Bull driver and Christopher Haase have already gone head to head twice in Nürburgring NLS events in GT3 machinery. Their next possible meeting could come at the 24-hour race in mid-May, adding another layer of interest for Norris as the Nordschleife returns to the center of attention.