India’s Arjun Maini showcased a strong performance for Haupt Racing Team (HRT) Ford Performance during Qualifying 2 at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, surpassing four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen on the timesheets in a highly competitive GT3 field. Maini, driving the #64 Ford Mustang GT3 in the SP9 category, clocked an impressive 8:11.278 lap, securing the fourth position overall in SP9, ahead of Verstappen’s Mercedes-AMG GT3.
The qualifying session took place amidst a crowded 161-car grid at the renowned endurance event, known for its diverse classes and competitive nature in global motorsport. This year’s race boasts the largest starting grid in over a decade, adding to the challenge faced by the drivers. Arjun Maini expressed satisfaction with his performance, acknowledging the tough competition in the SP9 category and emphasizing the team’s progress in car setup.
Arjun Maini, alongside teammates Fabio Scherer, David Schumacher, and Frank Stippler, is participating in the Nürburgring 24 Hours with HRT, marking his involvement in Ford’s new Mustang GT3 program. As a factory driver for Ford, Maini has been integral to the development of the Mustang GT3 Evo package, reflecting on the journey and challenges of transitioning to a new car and team setup. The team is gearing up for the endurance race at Nordschleife, aiming to capitalize on their promising start and compete against top names in GT racing.
