Nürburgring 24 Hours: Max Verstappen debuts in the dark as heavy rain hits the Nordschleife

Max Verstappen finally got his chance to drive the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the dark, logging valuable laps in heavy rain during Qualifying 2 for the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The three-time F1 champion finished third overall, with his best time set earlier in the dry afternoon session.

Why it matters:

For Verstappen, night experience at the Nordschleife is crucial. His only prior attempt at a night race was cut short due to tragedy at last month's NL5. These wet laps provide vital preparation for conditions that could return during the 24-hour race, giving him a better understanding of the treacherous track in darkness.

The details:

• Qualifying 2 was a continuation of the first session, but conditions shifted dramatically: heavy rain, hailstones, and fog hit the circuit, reducing visibility for long periods.
• Verstappen's #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 qualified third overall with an 8:18.539 lap from the dry afternoon, set by Verstappen himself.
• Fastest was Maro Engel in the #80 Mercedes (8:14.957), followed by Raffaele Marciello in the #1 Rowe BMW M4 GT3 (8:18.069).
• Verstappen took over from Lucas Auer after completing his timed laps requirement. His caution in the wet was evident, with aquaplaning and wayward moments affecting many drivers across the field.
• The session also served as useful preparation for potential rainy conditions during the race on Saturday night.

What's next:

Qualifying continues with Top Qualifying sessions on Saturday. The top 20 from SP9, SP-X, SP-PRO, and AT1 classes advance to Top Qualifying 2, then the top seven plus five automatic qualifiers go to Top Qualifying 3 to determine the starting grid. The 24-hour race starts at 3pm local time, and Verstappen's night experience could prove invaluable if the weather turns again.