Max Verstappen Nürburgring 24 Debut: How to Watch & What to Know

Max Verstappen will make his long-awaited Nürburgring 24-hour race debut this weekend, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo under his own Verstappen Racing banner alongside Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Dani Juncadella. The four-time F1 champion has already proven his Nordschleife pace with an NLS victory in 2025 and a record-breaking qualifying lap in April, when his car was the first to break the nine-minute barrier.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's first 24-hour race attempt has drawn unprecedented attention, with weekend tickets selling out for the first time in history. His entry highlights the growing crossover between F1 and endurance racing, and places the Nürburgring 24 firmly in the global spotlight as one of the most anticipated motorsport weekends of 2026.

The details:

• Verstappen's Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing entry features a strong driver lineup: Lucas Auer (former Red Bull junior, multi-championship GT driver), Jules Gounon (three-time Bathurst 12 Hour winner), and Dani Juncadella (GT World Challenge Europe winner).
• In April's qualifying weekend, Verstappen's car set a new benchmark by breaking the nine-minute qualifying lap, though a splitter issue in the four-hour race cost them a strong result.
• The event features over 150 cars across GT3 and lower classes on the combined 25-kilometer Nordschleife and GP-Strecke layout.

What's next:

Qualifying begins Thursday May 14, with the race starting Saturday May 16 at 15:00 local time (11:00 PM AEST) and running through Sunday. Free live coverage is available on the Nürburgring YouTube channel and Red Bull TV.

Verstappen has been clear about his ambition: "Success is winning. That's why we're here." He also highlighted the appeal of night driving, calling it "probably going to be the best feeling."