‘I know myself’ - Why Verstappen stepped back from Nürburgring 24H opening stint

Max Verstappen voluntarily handed the opening stint of the Nürburgring 24 Hours to teammate Daniel Juncadella, admitting he knew his own racing instincts would jeopardize the team's endurance strategy. The four-time F1 champion started from fourth on the grid but felt he would immediately attack rivals rather than pace himself over 24 hours.

Why it matters:

The decision highlights Verstappen's growing maturity in endurance racing and his understanding that raw aggression doesn't always win long-distance events. It also underscores the trust within the Verstappen.com Racing team, where even a superstar driver can step back for the collective good.

The details:

• Juncadella revealed the conversation in an interview with SoyMotor: "On Friday evening after qualifying, Max came up to me and said: ‘I think you should start. I know myself, this is a 24-hour race. We’re starting fourth and I know I’ll immediately want to fight everyone. It’s better if you take the start.’"
• The original plan had Verstappen taking the start, as he had done in practice races. Juncadella noted that Verstappen's aggressive style made sense for chaotic opening laps, but the Dutchman self-assessed and opted out.
• Juncadella drove the entire first stint before handing over to Verstappen, who later impressed with a double stint. The team ultimately suffered a late technical issue with three hours remaining, losing a potential victory.
• Teammate reaction: Jules Gounon described the defeat as heartbreaking, calling the Nordschleife unforgiving. Verstappen responded publicly with a simple message: "We'll be back mate."

What's next:

Verstappen's candid self-reflection and the team's near-miss suggest a strong return to the Nürburgring 24 Hours is likely. Fans are already speculating about a redemption attempt, with the four-time champion showing he can adapt his mindset for endurance racing's unique demands.