Max Verstappen Kicks Off Nürburgring 24 Hours Campaign in Qualifying 1

Max Verstappen and his teammates are set to begin their Nürburgring 24 Hours challenge with Qualifying 1 on Thursday at 12:55 local time. The four-time Formula 1 world champion is chasing one of motorsport's most prestigious victories, but scattered rain showers could complicate the opening session.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's move into GT endurance racing underscores his desire to expand his motorsport portfolio beyond F1. A strong showing at the Nordschleife would add a unique accolade to his legacy and demonstrate his adaptability in a vastly different discipline.

The details:

• The session determines grid positions for 112 cars outside the main categories, with 161 entries total for the weekend.
• Verstappen drives a Mercedes-AMG GT3, having secured the A Permit required to compete.
• Weather factor: Cloudy conditions with a 30% chance of rain, temperatures around 8°C, and south-westerly winds up to 25 km/h. Rain risk drops to 20% for evening Qualifying 2 at 19:40.
• Night running in Qualifying 2 gives all drivers valuable experience ahead of the 24-hour race.

What's next:

The grid will be finalized after Thursday's two qualifying sessions, with the green flag scheduled for Saturday at 15:00 local time. Verstappen and his co-drivers face a long weekend, with rain potentially disrupting their rhythm during the night stints.