Don’t Expect the Corvette ZR1 to Break the Nürburgring Lap Record Says Chief Engineer Tony Roma

By
Mitch Talley
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16
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Don't Expect the Corvette ZR1 to Break the Nürburgring Lap Record Says Chief Engineer Tony Roma

Photo Credit: Stefan Baldauf / SB-Medien


When Chevy published a teaser showing the 2026 Corvette ZR1 at the Nürburgring on June 28, the internet immediately jumped to the conclusion that the 6-28 date meant the new C8 variant would break the current record holder’s time.

But not so fast. In a recent interview with CarBuzz, Corvette Chief Executive Engineer Tony Roma says that kind of talk might just be wishful thinking.

“It’s more difficult than it’s ever been to set a record at the ‘Ring. They charge you a lot of money to talk about it, and they want to have certified timing and scoring,” Roma explained. “You have to rent the track, get the safety marshals, pay the licensing fee, pay the filming fee. And if your day rains, oh well. We are not based in Stuttgart, so we can’t just go back next week. That’s why you haven’t seen us set a lap record attempt.”

The 6-28 reference is significant because a time of 6 minutes, 28 seconds would smash the current production car lap record holder, the Mercedes-AMG One with an F1-inspired V6 engine that ran a sizzling 6:29.090 on the German track.

Still, all may not be hopeless for the Corvette faithful.

Perhaps the ZR1 could settle for becoming the fastest American production car to lap the Nordschleife by breaking the Ford Mustang GTD’s record pace of 6:52.072, or maybe even aiming even higher for the runner-up spot overall by beating the Porsche 911 GT2 RS with the Manthey Performance Kit that ran a time of 6:38.835.

Regardless, it won’t be easy, if you believe Roma.

“You can see the effort Ford had to put into the GTD,” Roma said. “And they had to go back twice to get decent weather.”

“All I can say is, stay tuned. We did go and drive around the (12.944 miles and 157 corners of the) Green Hell, and we’re pretty proud of how the car did. And so, we’re going to release more details when the time’s right. Very soon, very soon.”

As Roma teased, Chevy just wants to “wait until you have a story that’s worth telling.”


Source:
Carbuzz.com

Related:
[VIDEO] New Data Shows Corvette ZR1X Can Lap the Nürburgring in 6:27!
[VIDEO] It’s Happening! Chevy Releases a Teaser of the Corvette ZR1X at the Nürburgring
[VIDEO] Jim Mero Talks Potential Nürburgring Times for the Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X

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16 COMMENTS

  1. “History will never accept difficulties as an excuse.”
    35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy

    Thanks,
    Ray

  4. What a cop out.

    Ford, or any other OEM for that matter, go out and do things like this because they make it a priority. It’s that simple.

    This is the corporate culture that’s partly behind why the works Corvette Racing team can’t seem to get out of its own way in IMSA. Notice how customer Z06 GT.R teams like DXDT, TF Sport & that new Indonesian outfit don’t seem to have the problems that routinely hammer the works team and are winning.

    Do better, GM.

  6. Chevrolet doesn’t have to prove anything really. And logistics does have a role to play. Ford had to spend the money and time because they don’t have shit to offer otherwise, but the Vettes have been kicking ass already and set 5 new American records and we are in America. The two top dogs are also very much more expensive full-on prepped race cars and the Corvettes all of them are production vehicles available to anyone who wants to buy one with a warranty

  7. Well this is a big fat bummer! Really hope that this is some sort of “plot” corvette is pushing to make the other automakers feel comfortable before they drop the bomb.

    Only factor would be weather but in the video clip it’s sunny. But it could be wet in other parts of the track. Really hope it’s still in the 6:30s. 6:40 would be good but the car is faster than that.

  10. Yeaa totally get it. That’s why Porsche also doesn’t really spend the effort to set good lap times in North America.

    Just paraphrasing what Roma said and apply to Porsche:

    “it’s more difficult than it’s ever been to set a record at the a track in North America. They charge you a lot of money to talk about it, and they want to have certified timing and scoring,”

    “You have to rent the track, get the safety marshals, pay the licensing fee, pay the filming fee. And if your day rains, oh well. We are not based in the US, so we can’t just go back next week. That’s why you haven’t seen us set a decent lap record attempt at any US track.”

  11. Tony Roma never said they didn’t break the Nurburgring record, they just stated so far they haven’t because of how hard it is to go there and get optimal conditions, and that they’re very proud of their lap time given the conditions they had. Who knows, might be the new record for a production car, might be just a second behind the AMG One, either way, we’ll find out next month.

  13. It might have too much power for the ring, with its weight and good but not great downforce can it stick on those sweepers at the ring? We shall see

  14. And just like that; Nurb pay for play. Thanks but no thanks.
    Glad Tony read my thoughts on this in my previous prescient posts.

    Cheaper taking the DIY on you tube just like for the Z06.

  15. And…speaking of the Z06! That is what Mr. Roma has in his pocket. A time considerably better than the Sport Auto time but not a record attempt and therefore not as bureaucratic, expensive and not monetizable for the US market.
    I say sub 7 for the Z06 and do the math after that.

  16. Q: Does anyone have the contact details to Tony Roma?
    I need for him to answer only one question..
    Regards
    Michiel Diening

Comments are closed.