Jonas Leo
In a recent revelation that has sent ripples through the GT3 racing community, veteran driver Dani Juncadella has expressed profound astonishment at a unique "trick" Max Verstappen employed to navigate the challenging aero-wash behind other cars during his Nordschleife debut battle. This specific technique, identified by the reigning Formula 1 world champion, was reportedly unknown even to seasoned GT3 professionals, highlighting Verstappen’s unparalleled ability to adapt and innovate across different racing disciplines.
The incident occurred during the 58th ADAC Barbarossapreis, part of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS), where Verstappen, piloting the #3 Winward Mercedes-AMG GT3, faced his first genuine on-track dogfight at the legendary Green Hell. While the race’s official outcome saw the #3 Winward Mercedes disqualified post-event due to a breach of tyre regulations, the true talking point among GT3 veterans revolved around Verstappen’s exceptional performance, particularly his adeptness in close-quarters racing.
Central to this discussion was Verstappen’s effortless ability to closely follow Christopher Haase’s Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II in dirty air. Christopher Haase, an acclaimed Audi factory driver and Nordschleife expert, had already conveyed his admiration for Verstappen’s capacity to maintain proximity during high-speed sections of the track. Now, Juncadella, who shared the cockpit with Verstappen and Jules Gounon, has added his voice to the chorus of praise, revealing the depth of Verstappen’s tactical brilliance.
"It was impressive to see how well he understood how to stay that close to Christopher. It was his first time ever having to race like that in a GT3 car on this track," Juncadella, 34, told Motorsport.com Germany. The significance of this statement cannot be overstated. The Nürburgring Nordschleife, with its 20.8-kilometre length, 73 corners, and extreme elevation changes, presents an unparalleled challenge. Its undulating nature and diverse corner types create complex aerodynamic scenarios, making "dirty air" – the turbulent air disturbed by a preceding car – particularly detrimental to a following car’s grip and stability. GT3 cars, with their sophisticated aerodynamic packages, are highly sensitive to this phenomenon, often experiencing a significant loss of downforce when running closely behind another vehicle, which can lead to understeer, oversteer, and reduced braking performance. For a driver to not only mitigate these effects but to actively exploit a technique to stay glued to a competitor, especially on such a demanding circuit, speaks volumes about their skill.
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Verstappen’s previous NLS outing, his debut in NLS9 last year, saw him dominate by establishing a commanding lead in clean air, demonstrating raw pace. However, the Barbarossapreis presented a different challenge: a direct confrontation requiring acute racecraft and an understanding of GT3 car dynamics under pressure. This is where Verstappen shone even brighter.
"He actually did something quite special that we talked about after the race. It’s something I would have never thought of myself – and I’ve been driving GT cars for a long time," Juncadella revealed, his voice betraying a mix of admiration and surprise. "I’m not going to tell you what it is as I’d rather keep that to myself. It’s a nice trick he found out. Maybe I’ll tell you someday." The secrecy surrounding this technique only amplifies its perceived ingenuity and effectiveness, suggesting a nuanced understanding of aerodynamics and car control that eludes many seasoned professionals.
Beyond his "secret trick" for managing aero-wash, Verstappen’s overall performance metrics were staggering. During his stint, he recorded the six fastest lap times for the #3 Winward Mercedes-AMG GT3, showcasing a potent combination of outright speed and the aforementioned superior traffic management skills. This dual mastery allowed the team to build a significant advantage over their rivals, even before the strategic elements of the race fully played out.
When questioned about what makes Verstappen’s driving style so unique, Juncadella emphasized that it extends beyond mere technique. "It’s not so much about his driving style; it’s the sheer confidence that he has to jump into a car you barely know, on a track that demands absolute self-confidence. And he was on pace from Friday practice onwards and in the race as well," Juncadella stated. The Nordschleife is infamous for its unforgiving nature, punishing even the slightest lapse in concentration or confidence. For a driver relatively new to GT3 machinery on this circuit to immediately find pace and maintain it through a competitive stint underscores a mental fortitude and innate talent that transcends vehicle type.
While Verstappen provided the electrifying performance, Juncadella’s role involved managing the lead during a stint punctuated by several Code 60 zones. These neutralisation periods, where drivers must slow to a specific speed in designated sections, significantly disrupt lap times and race rhythm. Despite the data showing Juncadella didn’t break the eight-minute barrier during his stint, he remained unfazed, explaining the impact of these neutralisations. "There weren’t many fast laps in my stint because of the neutralisations. But the car felt great. We didn’t really have to worry about the Audi anymore because Christopher’s team-mate [Nico Hantke] was already in. He’s a bit less experienced and needs some more laps," he elaborated, highlighting the team’s strategic advantage and execution.
By the time Juncadella handed the car over to Jules Gounon, with whom he reunited after several years away from Mercedes, the Winward crew had established a comfortable 20 to 30-second lead. Gounon then had to contend with the Rowe BMW, a battle influenced by differing pit stop strategies, with the #99 M4 GT3 Evo ultimately needing to serve a 40-second longer pit stop at the end, further consolidating Winward’s on-track dominance.
Juncadella also offered insight into a potential factor contributing to Verstappen’s seamless adaptation to the Green Hell: his extensive experience in sim racing. "His experience in sim racing gives him an edge. Through all those GT races online, he understands exactly how to race against others and how to read situations before they happen. It just shows how passionate he is about racing," he explained. Verstappen is a well-known devotee of virtual racing, participating in numerous online events. This virtual immersion allows drivers to gain invaluable experience in car setup, track knowledge, and, crucially, racecraft and strategic thinking in competitive scenarios, which directly translates to real-world performance. The ability to predict and react to dynamic racing situations, honed in the digital realm, appears to be a significant asset for Verstappen in his cross-disciplinary ventures.
Despite the team’s commanding performance, the #3 Mercedes was ultimately stripped of its victory due to a breach of the tyre rules, a technical infraction common in tightly regulated motorsport. While the disqualification was a setback for the event’s official results, it did not diminish the profound impression left by Verstappen’s driving. His Nordschleife showing has firmly established his credentials for endurance racing and signals a formidable challenge for competitors in upcoming events.
Verstappen and his team are confirmed to return for the 24h Qualifiers on April 18 and 19, a crucial preparatory step ahead of the prestigious Nürburgring 24 Hours in June. His remarkable performance, especially his innovative approach to aero-wash, has undoubtedly set a new benchmark and added an intriguing layer of anticipation to his future appearances on the legendary Nordschleife. The motorsport world will be watching closely to see if Verstappen can replicate and further develop his "secret trick" in pursuit of ultimate victory at the Green Hell.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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