Max Verstappen receives bonus award after Nordschleife GT3 debut victory

Max Verstappen received extra recognition following his performance
alongside team-mate Chris Lulham at the Nürburgring Nordschleife,
with the Red Bull driver earning the 'Fahrer des Tages' (Driver of
the Day) award. Verstappen and Lulham, sharing the #31 Emil Frey
Racing Ferrari 296 GT3, entered last weekend's ninth round of the
NLS Series – a GT series held solely at the Nordschleife.  It
marked Verstappen's competitive GT debut, although looked at home
racing the different machinery.  The four-time world champion
secured third on the grid for the #31, before taking the lead at
the first corner of the four-hour race after sweeping around the
outside of the polesitter.  He remained in the lead for the
entirety of the first two hours, at which point Lulham took over
and brought the car home for a comfortable victory.  While Lulham
crossed the finish line with a 20-second advantage – he was caught
out by several slow zones – Verstappen had built a 62-second lead
when he jumped out of the car.  The Dutchman was selected for the
'Fahrer des Tages' honour by event organisers and stadium
announcers in acknowledgement of his performance during the event.
During the podium ceremony, the stadium announcer indicated that
selecting the recipient had been clear, given the quality of
Verstappen's display on the legendary German circuit. The 'Fahrer
des Tages' prize was established this year, well before there was
any indication that the 27-year-old would participate in racing at
the Nordschleife. Verstappen making his GT3 debut represented a
significant step towards his "dream" of entering the Nürburgring 24
Hours, an event which is firmly in his sights.