At the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring, over 60,000 spectators experienced more than four hours of outstanding motorsport action even before the start of the sixth round of the Nürburgring Endurance Series. Unique show runs, drift action and Nascar performances were on the programme as part of the 12h Nürburgring.
In 2013, four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel won the Nürburgring in his RB7. Before his run, Vettel, who once again took a seat in the cockpit of his “Kinky Kylie” race car, said: “I feel as if I am in a time capsule. A lot of memories are coming up. Everything fits together here today – including the fact that we are now running on synthetic, i.e. CO2-neutral, fuel.”
The event also brought back memories for many fans who made their way to the Müllenbachschleife well before the official start of the event to get the best view of the spectacle. They experienced stars like Ralf Schumacher, Mathias Lauda and Gerhard Berger up close and cheered their runs enthusiastically.
A highlight was the halftime show with some of the most prominent representatives of two-wheeled motorsport: stunt rider Aras Gibieža, freestyle motocross pro Luc Ackermann and trial freestyler Adrian Guggemos. Elias Hountondji, one of the two Drift Brothers, made the tyres smoke. As his brother was unable to attend due to an injury, the current leader of the Drift Masters Championships, Conor Shanahan, provided some incredible driving manoeuvres
The BMW driver line-up with Jens Klingmann, Philipp Eng, Leopold Prinz von Bayern and Markus Flasch also amazed the audience. The group of GT cars impressed with Yuki Tsunoda, the Friesacher brothers duo and the renowned PS-Influencer Gercollector. Jos Verstappen, the father of current F1 champion Max Verstappen, delivered a breathtaking performance in his Ford Supervan 4.2 in front of 35,000 fans at the Müllenbachschleife. Another 25,000 fans watched the show runs at the Grand Prix circuit and the Nordschleife.
It was a home game for Carrie Schreiner, who is the first German female driver to impress in the F1 Academy. Right before the start, she said: “I feel at home on the Nordschleife and I’m sure it will be totally surreal to have the track all for myself. I’m going to enjoy every corner.” So could David Coulthard, who had stepped in at short notice for the injured Daniel Ricciardo. The Scottish Formula 1 Vice World Champion of 2001 drove the RB8 and joined Sebastian Vettel in the grand finale through the almost 21-kilometre circuit with its 73 corners. “I feel very privileged to drive here today with Sebastian Vettel and in front of a fantastic crowd.”
Four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel, who supports the “Race without a trace” campaign, came with a clear mission: “Motorsport is my great passion and I want to preserve the sport. Fuels can be produced synthetically and serve as a substitute fuel. It may not be the only solution, but it is part of the solution. It is important for all of us to realise that we have to do something. And the greatest thing is: You don’t feel a difference in the car, it’s just as much fun.”
At 3:30 p.m., the protagonists of the Nürburgring Endurance Series then started to the 63rd ADAC ACAS Cup. The six-hour race continues into the evening hours. Another six-hour round of the traditional Nordschleife championship, the 62nd ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen, follows on Sunday as part of the 12h Nürburgring with. Tickets are available at vln.de/tickets.
