Le Mans: What connects Max Verstappen, Valentino Rossi and Northern Ireland’s Dan Harper?

Although GT racing is Harper’s profession, the endurance racing world received more attention than usual when four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen made waves in the class earlier this year.

Verstappen’s endurance racing venture generated a lot of interest at the Nürburgring, one of motorsport’s most grueling circuits.

As for Harper, who hails from Northern Ireland, he initially did not believe the rumors of Verstappen entering GT Racing.

“I thought it wasn’t going to happen,” Harper said.

“As it got closer and then it was announced, I knew it was going to be really special.”

Before the Nurburgring 24 Hours, Verstappen had to compete in the NLS race, shorter in length, to be allowed to drive in the main event.

In NLS2, Verstappen and his teammates Dani Jundicella and Jules Gounon dominated the race. At the time, Harper and Jordan Pepper were second and they got to share a stage together.

But Verstappen’s car was later disqualified for a technical infringement and Harper and Pepper were awarded the win.

Then, a mechanical problem forced Verstappen’s car to win the Nürburgring 24 Hours, while Harper, and finished just off the podium in fourth place.

So, despite the speed and relentless drive, Harper has yet to be officially defeated by the four-time world champion.

“I have to say it was one of the best podiums I’ve been to,” Harper said of his NLS2 experience.

“Even having the chance to speak with him after the race at Park Farm, we were talking about how he’s finding GT racing and being involved in something completely different from what he normally does on a day-to-day basis.

“It’s a lot like working with Valentino, they’re very famous but they’re just normal people and you can tell he’s so happy to be there and so motivated to do well, and I thought that was really cool.”