Max Verstappen to Make Nürburgring 24 Hours Debut on May 16

Max Verstappen will make his debut in the Nürburgring 24 Hours on May 16, adding his name to a prestigious list of Formula 1 drivers who have taken on the Nordschleife endurance classic. With four world titles and over 230 grand prix starts, he enters the race with a resume unmatched by any previous F1 participant.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's entry underscores the growing crossover between F1 and GT racing, and his presence elevates the profile of the event. A victory on debut would be historic—only Niki Lauda has won the race as an F1 world champion (1973).

The details:

• Since 1970, more than 30 F1 drivers have competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
• Verstappen's 230+ GP starts surpass all previous participants, though the calendar is busier today.
• Hans-Joachim Stuck holds the record for most entries (19) and wins (3).
• Pedro Lamy is the most successful ex-F1 driver with 5 overall victories.
• Verstappen has prior NLS experience, winning a race but disqualified for tire usage.
• He will drive a Mercedes-AMG GT3 alongside teammates.

What's next:

The objective is clear: fight for overall victory. A win on debut would place Verstappen alongside Lauda in the record books. Even without a win, his participation marks a new chapter in the race's history and highlights the appeal of endurance racing for top-tier drivers.