How to drive the Nürburgring Nordschleife: with Timo Bernhard

Timo Bernhard on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack

The Le Man-winning Porsche driver explains why the Green Hell is a racing icon

October 2, 2025 | 8 min read

Timo Bernhard breaks Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record in Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo

The Nürburgring Nordschleife is a racetrack that pushes your boundaries. Motorsport legend, Timo Bernhard, provides insights into the challenge of the Green Hell – which Porsche Track Experience participants can experience for themselves

In the age of Artificial Intelligence, where humans and machines are moving ever closer together, there are still places where pure instincts and skill are required. The Nürburgring Nordschleife is one of these – a racetrack that attracts drivers and motorsport legends alike.

Timo Bernhard is one of Germany’s greatest racing drivers of recent times. He made history here in 2018 with a breath-taking record run, setting a new standard in the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo race car when lapping the legendary ‘Green Hell’ in just 5 minutes 19.55 seconds. But what makes this unique racetrack so special? The legendary racer sat down to relate his experiences at this iconic venue.

Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo on track at the Nürburgring Nordschleife — Legendary Porsche race driver, Timo Bernhard, during his successful attempt at breaking the lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2018 in a modified Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo race car Photo: Porsche

What is the Green Hell?

The Nürburgring Nordschleife, in south-west Germany, has a lofty status like few others in the world of motorsport. Built in 1927 and covering a total distance of 20.832 km (12.944 miles), it is the world’s longest and most spectacular permanent racetrack in competitive use.

Its 73 corners, steep climbs and dangerous descents pose immense challenges, even for the best drivers. The three-time Formula 1 world champion Jackie Stewart coined the name the ‘Green Hell’ after a dramatic German Grand Prix in 1968, in which the flying Scotsman conquered the track in driving rain and fog. It’s a nickname that has stuck.

Despite all its many challenges, the Nordschleife exerts a magnetic attraction on the world of motorsport – and with good reason. It’s a place where man and machine must compete in unique symbiosis. A blurred frontier where speed, precision and no little instinct are required.

Timo Bernhard in racing suit with Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo in background — With five victories in the Nürburgring 24 Hours race and holder of the fastest lap ever at the circuit, Timo Bernhard is a true Nordschleife legend Photo: Porsche

Timo Bernhard: king of the Nordschleife

When Timo Bernhard talks about the Nordschleife, it isn’t just about the asphalt and the myriad corners – it’s about his childhood, awe and passion. Timo – who would grow up to be one of the most successful race drivers of his generation – still remembers his very first moment at this legendary track. It was in 1985, as a four-year-old boy, when he stood behind the guardrail at the circuit, watching his father drive around it in a VW Golf. It gave him an exciting early glimpse of something that would not only captivate him for the rest of his life but would help shape his destiny.

When one of his father’s colleagues later dismantled the car, Timo got to accompany him to pick it up – the first time that he saw more of the track than just the start-finish area. It was the beginning of a very special relationship. “Before long, I had a map of the Nordschleife hanging in my bedroom, and eventually I learned every corner by heart,” he says.

Bernhard knows every inch of this formidable stretch of asphalt. Not just physically, but mentally. He says he can drive it in his head, corner by corner, braking point by braking point. And he had done so countless times before attempting his famous record lap in 2018, at the wheel of a Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo race car.

“We wanted to be out by 9am at the latest because it gets warmer and the conditions are more difficult then,” he recalls of that midsummer Friday morning in late June. “We wanted to break my idol Stefan Bellof’s record – respectfully. What he achieved back then [In 1983, Stefan posted a time of 6 minutes 11.13 seconds in a Porsche 956 during qualifying session for the Nürburgring 1000 km race] was insane. In my case, the car was built for this one lap. A prototype. Lightweight construction. Special tyres. And I had the track to myself.”

Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo driving through a corner on the Nürburgring Nordschleife — Full focus: Timo in his Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo in June 2018 during his record-breaking lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife [Photo credits: Porsche]

In his very first lap, Timo bested Stefan’s legendary mark, set 35 years before, with a time of 5 minutes 24 seconds. But he and his team knew they could go even quicker. After further optimisation and even deeper concentration, Timo’s second attempt saw the clock stop at 5 minutes 19.55 seconds as he crossed the finish line. Two laps. One Nürburgring lap record followed by another.

“This acceleration, the deceleration, the downforce – insane,” said Timo at the time. “I have not experienced lateral forces like that since. That was extreme freestyle. I’ll never forget it.”

But it’s not just the records that count. Timo’s five victories in the Nürburgring 24 Hours race also hold a special place in his heart – especially his win in 2011. “That was under really tough conditions. Against strong competition. With an incredible team,” he recalls. His shared success with Marcel Tiemann – the two were team-mates for Manthey Racing/Porsche when winning the Nürburgring 24 Hours four times in a row between 2006 and 2009 – also remains close to his heart. “We were like a family,” he says.

And yet the Nordschleife also has a tendency to bite you without warning, as Timo knows only too well. In 2003, there was a collision with a guardrail in the rain while in the lead during the 24 Hour race. And there was 2006, where a meeting with an oil slick at night saw him narrowly avoided a pile-up.

“Ten cars or more crashed into it. [Hans-Joachim] ‘Strietzel’ Stuck was also there,” Timo says of another of the all-time greats of motorsport. “To this day, I don’t know if it was luck or instinct. But I do know that on the Nordschleife, it can all be over in a second.”

But on this day, it was different – 2006 would mark Timo’s first win at one of the world’s great endurance races.

Timo won the World Endurance Championship driver’s title in 2017 and has won the 24 Hour of Le Mans twice to join his five wins at Nürburgring and countless other race victories. How do these experiences compare? “The Nürburgring is all about the track, while Le Mans is more about its history and the thrilling prototypes,” he says. “It’s incredible to have won both races multiple times. You wouldn’t even dare dream of that at the beginning of a career.”

Timo Bernhard and team with Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo after breaking Nürburgring lap record in 2018 — Timo with the Porsche team after the historic 5 minutes 19.55 second lap record in June 2018 [Photo credits: Porsche]

What are the challenges when driving on the Nürburgring Nordschleife?

On the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the weather often changes several times during a single race. Heat waves, rain and even hail can drastically change the conditions out on the track. “You have to be able drive freestyle on the Nordschleife,” explains Timo. “You have to react quickly to the conditions – something you usually only see in rallies.”

A race can be decided from one second to the next – especially in the 24-hour race, where drivers are confronted with a wide variety of conditions and unpredictable situations on the track. Timo emphasises how important it is to always respect a track that has gained a notorious reputation. “Never lose respect – that’s the be-all and end-all,” he says. Every lap can be different, every corner can offer new challenges.

Timo has some important advice for anyone who wants to take on the challenge of the Nordschleife – like those lucky participants who take on its challenge with the Porsche Track Experience.

“Gradually work your way up to the limit,” he advises. “Right when you think you have everything under control, a small shock can set you back.” The Nordschleife is not a place for hasty decisions – here, drivers have to get to know the track and the car – over again and again, while constantly having to adapt their approach in order to face new challenges.

On the Green Hell, routine is just as important as fresh perspectives. “Sometimes you have to do things that wouldn’t be logical on other tracks, like taking the kerbs or deliberately cornering differently in order to take the next one better,” says Timo. “To be successful here, you need to be able to adjust your tactics again and again.”

Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo during Timo Bernhard’s record-breaking Nürburgring Nordschleife lap — The Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo race car that Timo drove on the record-breaking Nürburgring Nordschleife lap was free from race regulations, allowing technicians to set it up for increased power and downforce [Photo credits: Porsche]

Timo on why the Porsche 911 is the perfect car for the Nürburgring Nordschleife

Despite all his records and challenges faced, the joy of driving continues to motivate Timo. “The 911 is simply the perfect car for the Nordschleife,” he says of the legendary Porsche sportscar. “No matter what stage of evolution, it’s just so much fun, and a loyal companion on every lap.”

Even though the times of the LMP1 and hybrid prototypes involved in record laps like his are hard to beat, Timo’s longing for the next lap and the next dose of driving pleasure remains unbroken.

Timo Bernhard in a Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo on the Nürburgring Nordschleife — Timo says that the formula for tackling the Nordschleife is concentration, precision and passion [Photo credits: Porsche]

The Green Hell – venue of motorsport legends

The Nürburgring Nordschleife remains a legendary place that tells a new story with every lap, for every driver. For Timo, it’s the place where he gave his all as a driver as well as the place where he is continually rediscovering his passion and love for motor racing.

“It is pure joy to drive on this track,” he says. “And that will never change.”

You can watch Timo’s record-breaking lap here

Consumption and emission information

911 GT3 RS (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 13.2 l/100 km (preliminary value); CO₂ emissions combined: 299 g/km (preliminary value); CO₂ class: G (preliminary value).

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