Thomas Frey/picture alliance via Getty Images

Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring Podium Struggle Goes Viral

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 12:03 PM ET

Max Verstappen is no stranger to champagne celebrations. After all, the Dutchman has spent the last several years dominating Formula 1 podiums, often with effortless flair.

But at the Nurburgring, in his debut GT3 victory, the four-time F1 World Champion found himself facing an opponent unlike any he has encountered on track — a stubborn champagne bottle.

A Lighthearted Moment After a Historic Win

Verstappen secured his first race win at the iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife in a GT3 car, an achievement that quickly made headlines. Known as one of the most demanding circuits in motorsport, the Nordschleife has long been a proving ground for legends. Verstappen’s performance behind the wheel was clinical, adding another layer to his already impressive racing resume.

Yet, it wasn’t the victory alone that captured fans’ attention. During the podium ceremony, Verstappen wrestled with the traditional bottle of champagne. Despite his best efforts, the cork refused to budge, leading to a comical scene that was caught on video.

As his fellow competitors celebrated around him, Verstappen’s uncharacteristic struggle stood in stark contrast to his usual calm precision. The clip quickly went viral, shared widely across social media platforms where fans delighted in seeing a rare, lighthearted misstep from the otherwise composed champion.

A Different Kind of Viral Fame

While Verstappen is more often trending for dominant wins, bold overtakes, or record-breaking statistics, this viral champagne struggle added a human, humorous twist to his growing legacy.

Fans joked online that the bottle was his “toughest rival yet,” with many praising the moment as a reminder that even the most talented athletes aren’t immune to small everyday struggles.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Motorsport (@motorsportcom)

The Nurburgring victory itself remains a significant milestone. Driving in GT3 offered Verstappen the chance to showcase his versatility outside of F1, and succeeding at the legendary Nordschleife only deepens his reputation as one of the most adaptable drivers in modern motorsport. But it was his podium antics, not just his on-track brilliance, that left fans talking long after the race ended.

For Verstappen, the champagne bottle may not have popped easily, but the celebration certainly did, both on the podium and across the internet.

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

More must-reads: