Audi team boss relishes the Verstappen battle ahead of Nürburgring 24 Hours

Scherer Sport PHX team boss Ron Moser is thoroughly enjoying the intense battles between Max Verstappen and his driver Christopher Haase in the Nürburgring endurance series. The #16 Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II has become a fan favorite, and Moser tells GPblog that the garage is on edge every time these two go wheel-to-wheel. Despite lacking factory support since Audi scaled back customer racing for its F1 project, the small team is proving highly competitive against Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche.

Why it matters:

The Verstappen-Haase duel showcases the drama of GT racing and the underdog spirit of a privateer team taking on manufacturer-backed operations. For Audi, now focusing on its 2026 F1 entry, strong showings in endurance racing keep the brand relevant in motorsport. Moser’s remarks underline how a lean operation with experienced former Audi engineers can still punch above its weight.

The details:

• The battles began during NLS2 and continued through N24 Qualifiers, generating massive media and fan attention. Haase received an influx of messages from Verstappen fans.
• Team dynamic: Scherer Sport PHX, run by Moser and Christian Scherer, operates without factory support. “We are a small group, not as big as the other manufacturers,” Moser says. “But we have many people from the old days involved, like Audi engineers, and we want to show we can beat the manufacturers.”
• Competitiveness: Last year the gap was bigger, but the Audi package is now closer. Moser notes that other manufacturers “don’t exactly know what to expect yet.”
• Moser’s emotions: “My heart rate was really high during those fights. It was fantastic. This is what we do it for.”

What's next:

The 24-hour Nürburgring race presents a different challenge. Moser emphasizes the need for caution: “You can’t win the race in the first hour.” Verstappen Racing starts just behind the #16 Audi, promising another early showdown. Moser vows to go all-in against Manthey Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes, confident that the battle will continue.