- Akshay Gupta secures historic podium finish at iconic Nürburgring 24 Hours.
- Gupta overcomes physical limitations to master transition to GT4 machinery.
- Indian racer praises team professionalism despite headlight failures at night.
Akshay Gupta represented India once again on an international stage, taking on a promising challenge in motorsport as he competed in the iconic Nürburgring 24H.
He has been familiar with the historic “Green Hell” since making his NLS debut in 2023. The following year, Gupta became the first Indian driver to secure an NLS podium finish in the VT2-F category, followed by a maiden NLS victory just a few months later.
Having now advanced to the GT4 category, Gupta joined SRS Team Sorg Rennsport for the endurance classic, driving the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport (Typ 982) alongside teammates Aaron Wenisch, Tommy Graberg, and Bjorn Simon. The team went on to secure an overall 35th-place finish and second place in the Cup 3 AM category.
I had the opportunity to chat with Gupta about his experience competing at the thrilling Nürburgring 24H, working with Sorg Rennsport, and what it means to represent India in one of the world’s best endurance races.
Could you share with us details on preparing for the 24h endurance race? Is there anything you do differently, mentally or physically, in preparation compared to other races you have done before to deal with the pressure, challenge, and unforgiving nature of the Green Hell?
A lot of endurance training every muscle! Especially the neck. What’s the most important in endurance racing is to survive it with optimal mental performance. We usually lose around 900 calories per stint. Typically, in a 24 hour race, we do 5 stints. That’s 4500 calories!
To train the muscles, especially the neck and core muscles, to take all that strain, regain muscle control and repeat it after 3-4 hours of rest takes a lot. There’s nothing specific that can actually simulate that kind of strain in one day, so, I kept doing endurance training and making the body progressively stronger.
Any favourite moment or memory from this 24h endurance race? (Could be from any sessions or off-track)
The last stint I did before the end of the race, we were running in second place and had 7 laps remaining. We had a 4 min gap to first place. It started raining hard on certain parts of the track after the third lap and I kept pushing.
With slicks in rain, you’re always dancing on the edge of grip. I overtook 6-7 GT3 cars (one class higher and usually 1 min a lap faster than us) in the process and had a lot of fun. In the end, we reduced the gap to 2 min 30 sec but it was still good fun.
You have raced in the VT2 production classes earlier and now have advanced to GT4 racing. Any challenges you faced during this transition?
The brakes on the GT4 car require 100kg of pressure on the pedal for maximum braking. That was really hard to adapt to. Especially because the brakes in a production car don’t work if you put even 20% of that force.
My feet aren’t normal. Four surgeries and still working with limited mobility and functionality makes it difficult for me to apply 100kg braking force maybe 40 times a lap for 45 laps.
Nürburgring is a legendary track, but it’s also dangerous at the same time. I know drivers do their best to prepare mentally, but are there any parts or conditions on track where the fear or anxiety factor still slips in?
Lots of parts. Flugplatz, Schwedenkruez, Bellof S. All three sections the car is partially airborne and it’s extremely difficult to judge the grip levels due to that. To carry optimal speed is frightening.
All three sections you’re doing 200+kph. The barriers are very close, and it’s easy to lose it here, especially if there’s oil or water on the circuit. Every time I go into these sections, I am a little anxious.
What stands out most to you about the way Sorg Rennsport operates as a team, and what has it been like working alongside your teammates? Any important takeaways from them so far?
Sorg Rennsport has been very professional. They have been doing this for decades, and it shows. There are so many little things that they have already thought of and made adjustments for.
All team members have been a part of the team for years and they know the protocols too, so, it makes life effortless for the driver, letting us to think about only driving. The teammates have been fun to work with. We had a lot of fun discussing business, health, and fitness outside of the world of motorsport, of course.
Was there any exciting and terrifying part of the Green Hell at night or in changing weather conditions in the 24h race?
We lost our main headlights when it was my turn to get into the racecar. We only had the normal headlights and I was told it should not be too bad. When I went out I couldn’t see anything!
It took me two laps of driving absolutely blind to realise I didn’t have the headlamps on full beam because I thought that was it! When I turned on the full beam, I could see decently well but we still missed the main headlamps! That was both terrifying and exciting at the same time.
Describe your overall 24h Nürburgring experience, and did the position you ended up with satisfy you?
Best race in the world!
That’s what I’ll say. I don’t think there’s any race in the world that can beat the 24 hours of Nurburgring. I don’t care how much more glamorous F1 is or how much faster Le Mans prototype cars are. This is the best race in the world in my books. I’m not that happy.
We could have easily been 1st in AM and 3rd overall. We weren’t because of a minor crash that my teammate had. But, I’m very happy I got to experience this race again!
Any motorsport driver that you admire, and why?
Ayrton Senna. For the man, he was both inside and outside the racecar. He was extremely devoted to his craft, very tenacious, truly intense, and really kind outside the racecar. His efforts made the lives of many Brazilians better. He stood by his ethics and won fairly in a sometimes unfair sport. That’s a man I truly admire.
Was there any driver on the grid whose experience or reputation naturally makes you more cautious or aware when sharing the track with them?
This race it has to be Max Verstappen. I had a duel with him last year when he was in a slower car for his permit. Again, it started raining and we were both on slicks. I tried to overtake him on 4 occasions and couldn’t.
He’s the 4-time world champion, it is amazing to have shared the track with him, and his presence has brought a lot of benefits to our championship!
What does carrying Indian representation at an iconic race like the Nürburgring 24 Hours mean to you personally, and what advice would you give to aspiring Indian drivers who dream of competing at this level one day?
Every time I see the Indian flag on the car, I feel so proud. I’m naturally very patriotic. Indian fans who know I’m participating in the race always approach me and say that we never thought we would see an Indian at this championship. It feels great!
I think that Indian racing drivers need to look beyond the world of F1 or open-wheel racing and seriously consider making a career in GT cars. It’s a much more rewarding world and much less expensive. You’ve a much better shot at becoming a professional racing driver too!
