Max Verstappen 'huge impact' hailed as Mercedes challenge beckons

Lucas Auer believes Max Verstappen's presence at the Nürburgring 24 Hours is fueling a golden era for GT3 racing, as the four-time F1 champion prepares for his debut in the iconic endurance race alongside the Austrian and Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella in a Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's entry into the Nürburgring 24 Hours—while in the middle of an F1 season—has drawn unprecedented attention to GT3 racing, boosting crowds and elevating the sport's profile. Auer, a Mercedes-AMG Performance driver, sees this as part of a broader surge in popularity for the category.

The details:

• Auer and Verstappen shared track time during qualifying, where a broken splitter prevented a win but still allowed valuable laps. Auer calls it "a very productive weekend" that left the team well-prepared for the main event.
• On the Nordschleife's unique challenges, Auer emphasizes traffic management: "With a GT3, you arrive at such tremendous speed... you only really learn how to deal with traffic during a race."
• The Mercedes-AMG GT3 is described as "a fantastic all-rounder" that works in all conditions—dry, changeable, or wet—making it a strong contender for the 24-hour race.
• Communication is key in endurance racing. Auer notes that each driver brings distinct strengths, and they constantly share insights on lines and track evolution.
• Verstappen's impact: "He is an incredibly cool guy and very easy to work with... very productive, very professional, but we have a lot of fun." Auer adds that Verstappen's participation has drawn 51,000 spectators at the Red Bull Ring for DTM, reflecting GT3's "golden era."

What's next:

The Nürburgring 24 Hours runs from May 14 to 17. With a star-studded lineup and strong preparation, Auer is confident the quartet can fight for the top five—and possibly more. "I am now greatly looking forward to the big one!"