Haase calls Verstappen “very respectful” after Nurburgring 24 Hours qualifying duel

Christopher Haase praised Max Verstappen as “very respectful” after a fierce duel for the lead in the second qualifying session of the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The battle lasted about an hour before Haase pitted, while Verstappen’s Mercedes‑AMG GT3 suffered a splitter failure that ended his and teammate Lucas Auer’s challenge.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen’s involvement shows how top F1 drivers are drawn to endurance GT racing, boosting the series’ profile.
• Haase’s commendation highlights sportsmanship that transcends series boundaries.
• The splitter failure underlines the technical fragility of GT3 machinery, even for elite drivers.

The details:

• Haase piloted the #16 Audi R8 LMS GT3; Verstappen was in the #3 Mercedes‑AMG GT3.
• The duel began in the opening stint and lasted roughly 60 minutes before Haase headed to the pits.
• Verstappen continued for another 30 minutes before a rear‑splitter crack forced his retirement, taking Lucas Auer (P39) out as well.
• Haase’s teammates Ben Green and Alexander Sims seized the lead afterward and secured the overall win.
• Haase noted his rear axle felt “a bit tricky,” limiting his ability to generate the final momentum needed to pass Verstappen.

What's next:

• Verstappen returns to the F1 calendar for the next Grand Prix, taking away a positive impression of GT3 competition.
• Audi will fine‑tune the rear‑axle setup ahead of upcoming endurance events, aiming to translate qualifying speed into race victories.