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Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring Debut Earns Powerful Reaction From His Instructor

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Sep 15, 2025 8:28 AM ET

Max Verstappen has finally made his long-awaited debut at the Nurburgring, and it didn’t take long for the four-time world champion to leave a lasting impression.

The Dutchman officially began the process of earning his Norschleife license this weekend, taking part in a theory session on Friday before hitting the track on Saturday for laps on the legendary “Green Hell.”

Instructor’s Praise for Verstappen

Max’s guide for the day, Nurburgring instructor Andy Gulden, admitted he was struck by the Red Bull star’s focus and curiosity. Speaking after their session, Gulden said Verstappen was eager to learn the smallest details — from racing lines in wet conditions to the meaning of flag signals unique to the circuit.

“He’s a huge enthusiast, really nice guy, and incredibly focused,” Gulden said. “It was an honor to work with him. He’s a true racer.”

The praise highlights Verstappen’s ability to adapt quickly, even outside the familiar world of F1. Fans following his debut online were equally impressed by how seriously the Dutchman took the challenge of mastering one of motorsport’s most daunting tracks.

max’s instructor at nurburgring: “it was fantastic to drive ahead of the world champion for a few laps. luckily, i had a lot more power; otherwise, it might not have worked out.”

[de telegraaf] pic.twitter.com/VnBHPG4jRm
— nini (@SCUDERIAFEMBOY) September 14, 2025

A Memorable First Experience

Adding to the occasion, Gulden shared a lighthearted remark after driving ahead of Verstappen on track: “it was fantastic to drive ahead of the world champion for a few laps. Luckily, I had a lot more power, otherwise, it might not have worked out.”

With the Nurburgring attracting thousands of fans to witness Verstappen’s first official outing, the excitement around his license program shows no signs of slowing down. If this weekend is any indication, Max’s connection with the Green Hell is only just beginning.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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