Max Verstappen Returns to Nürburgring for 24h Qualifying Race

Max Verstappen is trading his Red Bull F1 car for a Mercedes-AMG GT3 this weekend, competing in the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers at the legendary Nordschleife. The four-time world champion is using the event as crucial preparation for the full 24-hour race in May, continuing his active participation in GT racing alongside his dominant F1 campaign.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's regular appearances in endurance racing highlight a growing trend of top-tier F1 drivers seeking competitive challenges outside the grand prix calendar. His participation brings immense spotlight to these events and provides him with valuable experience in multi-class traffic and endurance strategy, skills that are less emphasized in modern F1 but fundamental to his development as a complete racing driver.

The details:

• Verstappen is driving the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 for his own Team Redline-affiliated squad during the combined NLS4 and NLS5 qualifying races.
• His regular teammates, Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, are absent this weekend as they compete in the World Endurance Championship round at Imola.
• He will be joined by Lucas Auer, nephew of former Ferrari F1 driver Gerhard Berger, for the weekend's sessions.
• This outing follows a strong but ultimately disqualified performance in March, where his team was penalized for a tyre usage infringement after he showed impressive race pace.
• Verstappen has found success on the Nordschleife before, winning the 4-hour NLS9 race in 2025 with sim racer Chris Lulham.

What's next:

The main event is the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring on May 14-17. Verstappen is confirmed for the full race, which is scheduled between the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix on the 2026 F1 calendar, presenting a significant logistical and physical challenge. His performance this weekend will be a key indicator of his and the team's readiness for the grueling twice-around-the-clock event.