Ralf Schumacher has heaped praise on Max Verstappen following the Dutchman’s showing at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, describing the performance as “unbelievable”, despite it ending in mechanical heartbreak.
Verstappen, competing alongside team-mates Lucas Auer, Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon, had looked on course for victory before a broken driveshaft ended any realistic hopes of a podium finish.
The team eventually crossed the line in P38 after managing to get the car repaired and back out on track for a ceremonial final lap.
Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Schumacher was emphatic in his admiration for the four-time F1 drivers’ champion.
“About Max, I have to be honest: incredible what he achieved there,” the former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver said.
“He took all the risks, of course. I don’t think anyone else would have dared to do that. He pulled off some moves and even overtook on the grass. Unbelievable!
“He was also clearly faster than everyone else. Except for Maro Engel, who, it has to be said, was able to match the same pace.”
‘Truly wonderful’ for motorsport and racing in Germany
Schumacher was candid about the gulf between Verstappen and his co-drivers. “But in his team, Dani Juncadella and Lucas Auer were really in his shadow. I think they were about three seconds per lap short,” he added.
“That is quite a significant gap. A shame, because he really could have won. He had a great chance, but then the technical problem struck.”
Despite the disappointment, the six-time grand prix winner was keen to highlight the wider impact of Verstappen’s participation.
“They did manage to repair the problem in the end, so they could at least finish the race, but fighting for the win was no longer on the cards. A shame, but it is at least fantastic that he did it.
“What it meant for motorsport and 24-hour racing in Germany, so many extra fans, that was truly wonderful.”
Schumacher also reflected on Mercedes’ eventual triumph, a victory that ended a lengthy drought for the manufacturer at the event.
“I would have loved to have seen him win,” he said. “That would have been truly enormous.
“But naturally, I also want Maro Engel to win; I’ve known him for ages. And Mercedes had endured a long dry spell at the Nürburgring, so it was a great team performance from them.”
The German rounded off his assessment with a pointed observation about the top tier of motorsport, concluding: “I think he showed everyone up there that he is a Formula 1 driver for good reason.
“And I think many people have come to appreciate just what a different status Formula 1 holds in motorsport.”
