Verstappen and Lullham Shine with a Victory on Their GT3 NLS Debut

Verstappen and Lullham Shine with a Victory on Their GT3 NLS 9 Debut

Max Verstappen and Chris Lullham in NLS 9: Victory on Their GT3 NLS (Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie) Debut

In the 4-hour NLS (Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie) race held at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, Max Verstappen and Chris Lullham stunned the field by claiming victory in their very first outing together in the GT3 class, driving a Ferrari 296 GT3 run by Emil Frey Racing.

Qualifying and Grid

During qualifying, Verstappen secured a front-running spot within the GT3/SP9 field. Although he did not take pole, his lap time was strong enough to ensure the duo started their Ferrari 269 GT3 in third place, giving the duo a chance to race in contention for victory.

There were also reports from practice sessions that Verstappen had clocked a lap of 7:48, which would be faster than the official GT3 NLS record (7:49.578) set by Christian Krognes in 2022. However, this figure should be treated with caution as it comes from informal sources rather than official timing.

Race and Fastest Lap

In the race, Verstappen and Lullham maintained a strong but consistent pace. The number 31 car took the lead at the first corner and remained at the front of the field for the entire four-hour event. They built up a lead of over a minute over the number #6 Ford Mustang thanks to a very solid first stint by Verstappen, followed by a phase where Lullham managed the advantage without making any mistakes. The pairing achieved a lead of nearly 20 seconds over their pursuers by the end of the event.

Regarding the actual best lap time in competition, there is no public confirmation of an official figure. Reports of laps of 7:48 come from free practice or informal sessions, not from officially homologated race laps.

The Meaning of This Win

Winning a debut in the GT3 class at the Nürburgring Nordschleife is an extraordinary achievement. For Verstappen, it reinforces his reputation as a versatile driver capable of excelling beyond Formula 1. For Chris Lullham, it was a breakthrough moment: proving he can perform under pressure on one of motorsport’s most demanding stages.

The result highlights not just speed but teamwork, consistency, and racecraft — elements that will undoubtedly fuel speculation about future appearances from Verstappen in endurance racing and establish Lullham as an emerging name to watch.

FAQs

1. What car did Verstappen and Lullham race in the GT3 NLS?
They competed in a state-of-the-art GT3 model, prepared by the Emil Frey Racing team.

2. Is it common for rookies to win at the Nürburgring?
No, it’s extremely rare. Most rookies take several races to adapt to the track and the series.

3. What is the difference between racing in Formula 1 and GT3?
F1 focuses on top speed and individual performance, while GT3 requires teamwork, endurance, and resource management over several hours.

4. What are Chris Lullham’s prospects after this victory?
His future looks promising: he could attract international GT3 teams and make the jump to more ambitious championships like the WEC.

5. Does Verstappen plan to race in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring?
Although unconfirmed, this successful debut makes it more likely that it will compete in iconic events such as the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring in the future.