The Nurburgring Nordschleife, also known as the “Green Hell,” is a legendary motorsport complex located in the town of Nurburg, Germany.
It is famous for its challenging 12.9-mile (20.8 km) long track, featuring 154 corners, steep inclines, and varying surfaces. The track was built in the 1920s and has undergone several modifications over the years.
The Porsche 919 Hybrid EVO currently holds the overall lap record at the Nurburgring, having set a time of 5:19.54 in 2018.
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Officially Timed Nurburgring Lap Records
The operators of the Nurburgring have instituted official rules for the measurement and certification of lap times on the Nordschleife since 2019.
These rules govern the measurement of lap times over the full length of the track, timed with a flying start, and supervised by a notary. Vehicles are scrutinized to ensure they are in their series-production state.
Unofficial Lap Times and Their Significance
In addition to the officially timed lap records, there are also unofficial lap times set by various entities, including manufacturers, media outlets, and private drivers.
These times may not adhere to the same scrutiny and rules as the official records, but they still hold significance in the motorsport community.
They can be used for promotional purposes, comparison, and reporting, as well as a benchmark for vehicle performance.
Top 5 Fastest Nurburgring Lap Records
1 Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo – 5:19.55 minutes (2018)
The Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo, a modified version of Porsche’s Le Mans-winning race car, holds the all-time lap record at the Nurburgring. It completed the lap in an astonishing 5:19.55 minutes, driven by Timo Bernhard.
2 Volkswagen ID.R – 6:05.336 minutes (2019)
The Volkswagen ID.R, an all-electric race car, set the second-fastest lap time at the Nurburgring. Romain Dumas drove the ID.R, completing the lap in 6:05.336 minutes, breaking the previous electric vehicle record.
3 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ – 6:44.97 minutes (2018)
The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ holds the third-fastest lap time at the Nurburgring, with a time of 6:44.97 minutes. Marco Mapelli drove the Aventador SVJ, which features a 760-horsepower, 6.5-liter V12 engine and advanced aerodynamics.
4 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series – 6:43.616 minutes (2020)
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series holds the fourth-fastest lap time at the Nurburgring, with a time of 6:43.616 minutes. Maro Engel drove the GT Black Series, which features a 720-horsepower, 4.0-liter V8 engine and a complete overhaul compared to the ordinary GT.
5 Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991) – 6:40.33 minutes (2017)
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991) holds the fifth-fastest lap time at the Nurburgring, with a time of 6:40.33 minutes. Lars Kern drove the 911 GT2 RS, which features a 700-horsepower, 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine.
Formula 1 Record
The Formula 1 Lap Record of the Nurburgring Nordschleife was set in 1975 Qualifying in 6:58.6 min by Niki Lauda in his Ferrari !
The Role of Manufacturers in Setting Lap Records
Manufacturers play a significant role in setting lap records at the Nurburgring. They often use the track as a testing ground to develop and showcase their high-performance vehicles.
Lap records can serve as a marketing tool, demonstrating a vehicle’s capabilities and generating buzz. Manufacturers may also lend support to private entities or media outlets for testing and record-setting attempts.
Controversies and Debates Surrounding Lap Records
There have been several controversies and debates surrounding Nurburgring lap records. Different definitions and views among automakers and journalists can lead to disputes over record validity.
For example, some vehicles may not meet full type-approval or may have significant modifications from the standard production model, leading to questions about their eligibility for certain records.
Additionally, varying lap lengths and timing methods can also contribute to discrepancies and debates.
| Rank | Vehicle | Time | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo | 5:19.55 | 2018 |
| 2 | Volkswagen ID.R | 6:05.336 | 2019 |
| 3 | Lamborghini Aventador SVJ | 6:44.97 | 2018 |
| 4 | Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series | 6:43.616 | 2020 |
| 5 | Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991) | 6:40.33 | 2017 |
The Nurburgring lap record is a coveted title that showcases the performance and capabilities of a vehicle. The legendary track has seen numerous record-setting attempts, both official and unofficial, by manufacturers, media outlets, and private drivers. While controversies and debates may arise, the pursuit of the Nurburgring lap record continues to captivate the motorsport community.
