The fastest laps on the Nordschleife — records that make history

The Nordschleife. 20.8 kilometers of asphalt, more than 70 corners, unpredictable weather and a reputation that inspires respect all over the world. Driving here requires courage. Whoever breaks records here becomes a legend. So it's no wonder that the Nordschleife is more than just a racetrack — it sets the standard. And that's exactly why every new lap time makes headlines.

Why the records at the Nürburgring are so fascinating

On hardly any other track can the performance of a car be measured so uncompromisingly. The mix of high-speed passages, technical corners and differences in altitude makes the “Green Hell” the ultimate test track. A quick lap here isn't just a prestigious success — it's a real seal of approval.

The exciting thing: The diversity. From electric super sports cars to hand-operated series cars, from SUVs to historic racing cars — the Nordschleife has no standard formula. Each vehicle is fighting for the crown in its own class.

Current Nordschleife lap records (as of May 2025)

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Category Total (not road-allowed)

Vehicle Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo

Lap time 5:19.546 minutes

Year 2018

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Category Prototype — electric (not road-approved)

Vehicle Volkswagen ID.R

Lap time 6:05.336 minutes

Year 2019

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Category Racecar — Historic

Vehicle Porsche 956 (Stefan Bellof)

Lap time 6:11.13 minutes

Year 1983

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Category Road-legal series vehicle

Vehicle Mercedes-AMG One

Lap time 6:35.183 minutes

Year 2022

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Category Road-legal vehicle (manual transmission)

Vehicle Porsche 911 GT3 (992.2, manual transmission)

Lap time 6:56.294 minutes

Year 2025

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Category US road vehicle (series vehicle)

Vehicle Ford Mustang GTD

Lap time 6:52.072 minutes

Year 2025

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Category electric car (series vehicle)

Vehicle Rimac Nevera

Lap time 7:05.298 minutes

Year 2023

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Category small car (series vehicle)

Vehicle Renault Megane R.S. Trophy-R

Lap time 7:40.1 minutes

Year 2019

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Category SUV (series vehicle)

Vehicle Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT

Lap time 7:38.925 minutes

Year 2021

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Records with goosebumps

Some of these times aren't just in statistics — they've made history. Like Stefan Bellof's legendary run in 1983, when he drove a Porsche 956 for a time that remained unmatched for decades. Or the 919 Hybrid Evo, which opened a new chapter in 2018 with 5:19 minutes — free from regulations, with maximum performance.

Electric cars are no less spectacular now: In 2019, the VW ID.R proved with its time that e-mobility has long been suitable for motor sports. And the Rimac Nevera set an exclamation mark in the production vehicle class in 2023.

Why the Nordschleife remains a benchmark

Many tracks are fast, some are technically demanding — but only the Nürburgring combines both with an aura that is second to none. Whoever exists here exists everywhere. And that is exactly what makes a record on the Nordschleife so special: It is not just a number on paper, but part of a legend.

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