Max Verstappen brings record crowds to Nuerburgring ahead of debut weekend

[p]Red Bull's four-times Formula One world champion ‌is making the most of a weekend off ‌from his regular job to pursue his passion and race ‌a Mercedes-AMG GT3 sportscar at the daunting German ‌track.[/p][p]The 28-year-old Dutch driver will share the Team Verstappen Racing car with Spaniard Dani Juncadella, Frenchman Jules Gounon and Austrian ‌Lucas Auer in the race that ⁠starts on Saturday at ‌the "Green Hell".[/p][p][b]"Weekend tickets sold out. For the first time in ​the history of the ADAC Ravenol 24h Nuerburgring,"[/b] the circuit's official X account said.[/p][p]"There will ​be no ticket sales at the box office on Saturday. Please do not travel without a valid ⁠ticket under any circumstances."[/p][embed guid="35e74ca8-f2ef-4be7-919f-6eb492a22c74" url="https://x.com/autosport/status/2053731837546029208" social-type="twitter" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/verstappen-max/UV3mgeXB/"]Verstappen[/a], ​winner of 71 grands prix, has taken part in other races at the Nuerburgring to build experience and impressed with his speed in qualifying events.[/p][p][b]"The 24h Nuerburgring ‌is a race that’s been on my bucket list for a long time, so I’m really thrilled we can make it happen now,"[/b] Verstappen said when his Red Bull-backed entry was confirmed in March.[/p][p]Organisers said that while Verstappen's presence had generated worldwide attention, his participation was only part of the story with 161 entries making the largest grid in more than ‌10 years.[/p][p]The SP9 class in which Verstappen will ​be competing for overall victory features nine brands: ‌Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche.[/p][p]The race, held annually since 1970, is over a 25-km (16-mile) loop that combines the Nordschleife layout raced on by Formula One in the ⁠1960s and 70s with ⁠the more modern ‌grand prix circuit.[/p]