Max Verstappen Heads to Nordschleife for 24 Hours of Nurburgring Qualifying
F1 champion Max Verstappen will join the 24 Hours of Nurburgring qualifying weekend, testing Friday and racing on Saturday and Sunday. Updated schedule spotlights the event and gives Verstappen Nordschleife experience.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will join the Nordschleife for the 24 Hours of Nurburgring qualifying weekend. The three‑day program gives the Dutch driver a rare test on the demanding circuit ahead of the endurance race next month.
Why it matters:
Verstappen’s appearance draws global attention to the 24‑hour event, which usually sits outside the F1 spotlight. For the driver, the Nordschleife’s mix of tight corners and long straights provides data on tyre wear and car balance under extreme conditions. For the organizers, a marquee name boosts ticket sales, media coverage and sponsor interest, reinforcing the race’s status as a premier endurance challenge.
The details:
- Fri 17 Apr – Test 12:15‑14:45 CET.
- Sat 18 Apr – Qualifying 08:30‑10:00 CET; race 17:30‑21:30 CET.
- Sun 19 Apr – Qualifying practice 08:15‑09:45 CET, Top Qualifying for pole; race 13:00‑17:00 CET.
- Schedule tweaked for Verstappen’s participation.
What's next:
Qualifying will set the grid for the two 24‑hour races next month. Verstappen returns to Red Bull’s F1 program after the weekend, but his Nordschleife times will be dissected for performance insights. The event is expected to draw heightened attention and may spark cross‑disciplinary learnings for both endurance and F1 teams.