Round-up: Verstappen confirms Nordschleife GT3 race debut, Drugovich joins FE and more

Comment of the day

Much of the commentary on yesterday’s round-up focused on the upcoming Crashgate court case, but the photographs of the bricks buried beneath the Brickyard made an impression on one reader:

Those pictures of the brickyard – the actual bricks! – at the IMS made me think of how special it is to be a fan of motorsport, and how storied and rich its old, old history is. Probably one of the most classical sports out there, no matter what anyone says. Since humanity was born, we have been racing. Engines just made us race faster.
Trayambak Chakravarty (@Major-dev)

Social media and links

Max looks forward to GT3 race debut at Nordschleife: ‘Can’t wait’ (Verstappen)

‘Max will be sharing the cockpit of a Ferrari 296 GT3, run by the Swiss Emil Frey Racing team in the Verstappen.com Racing x Red Bull livery, together with Chris Lulham, the 22-year-old British racing driver, who is competing in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance and Sprint Cup for Verstappen.com Racing.’

Andretti Global welcomes Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich to season 12 Formula E driver line-up (Andretti)

‘The Brazilian driver brings a championship-winning pedigree and broad international motorsport experience in single-seater and sports car competition to the Andretti Formula E team, highlighted by a dominant 2022 FIA Formula 2 drivers’ championship run that saw Drugovich earn five wins, 11 podiums and finish 101 points clear of his closest rival. Since 2022, Drugovich has served as a reserve driver for the Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team, taking part in multiple free practice one sessions’

Jesse Carrasquedo joins Van Amersfoort Racing for 2026 Formula 3 season (Van Amersfoort)

‘In 2024, he tested in Formula 3 with the team in Jerez. We’re very happy to have him back permanently and are grateful for him to drive a full season with us. He will also participate in the post-season F3 testing with the team this year. Van Amersfoort Racing looks forward to supporting him with the F3 season ahead. It will be a valuable opportunity to learn and grow for all involved.’

Formula 3 announce one-million-euro prize fund to support top five drivers (Formula 3)

‘The prize fund will be split so the champion receives 300,000 euros, the driver in second place receives 250,000 euros, the driver in third receives 200,000 euros, and the fourth and fifth placed drivers receive 150,000 euros and 100,000 euros, respectively. The prize requires the drivers to be racing for Formula 2 the following season, or it will go to the next highest-placed driver(s).’

Another F1 race, another viewership record on ESPN: Azerbaijan Grand Prix gets its largest audience ever (ESPN)

‘Sunday’s live telecast of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix averaged 1.1 million viewers (per Nielsen Big Date and Panel), the largest audience ever for the event on US television. The race began shortly after 7 am ET.’

Turbulent end at Red Bull fails to deter Christian Horner’s potential new suitors (The Guardian)

‘Aston (Martin) and Stroll have made no secret of their desire to sign the four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Given the breakdown in relations between the Verstappen camp and Horner at Red Bull, in particular the acrimony from Verstappen’s father, Jos, toward Horner, it is impossible to imagine they would countenance joining a team with him in charge.’

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