Max Verstappen’s Team Clears Nürburgring 24 Hours Warm-Up Without Issue

Max Verstappen’s team reached an important milestone at the Nürburgring 24 Hours by completing the warm-up event without any issues. Jules Gounon piloted the #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes to a P9 result in a session designed primarily for system checks and final setup adjustments before the 24-hour grind.

Why it matters:

A clean warm-up is crucial for endurance racing, where reliability and driver comfort are paramount. For Verstappen’s co-driven team, a trouble-free session means they can head into the race with confidence, having ironed out any potential gremlins. The Nordschleife’s unpredictable weather and demanding layout make every preparation lap count.

The details:

• The one-hour warm-up was not about chasing lap times, but rather debugging and fine-tuning the car before the main event.
• Jules Gounon handled driving duties for the #3 Mercedes, delivering a smooth session with no incidents.
• Light rain began to fall on the Nordschleife, giving teams a taste of the wet conditions expected during the 24-hour race.
• The #80 Mercedes, repaired after Maro Engel’s off on Friday, set the fastest lap of the session — an 8:32.206 by Maxime Martin, 4.5 seconds clear of the #26 Mercedes.
• The #911 Porsche, driven by Kévin Estre, was also quick early on with an 8:42.238, but the #80’s late flyer secured P1.

What's next:

The field now turns to the green flag for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Verstappen’s team, with a clean warm-up behind them, will aim to stay out of trouble and build toward a strong result. The race will be a true test of endurance, strategy, and adaptability — especially with rain likely to play a role.