Nürburgring 24 Hours: Max Verstappen makes Q1 debut as scary crash triggers investigation

Max Verstappen ticked off a crucial milestone by securing his qualification for the Nürburgring 24 Hours with a strong Q1 performance.

The #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 – run by Winward Racing – ended the two-hour session third overall, Verstappen setting the car's fastest lap at 8:18.539. The sister #80 Mercedes topped the times with an 8:14.957, while the session was marred by a scary crash early on.

Why it matters:

Verstappen’s entry in the Nordschleife classic adds star power and raises expectations. His ability to quickly adapt to the demanding 25 km circuit and deliver competitive lap times so early in the event underlines his versatility. The crash investigation also highlights the inherent risks of multi-class endurance racing on a narrow, high-speed track.

The details:

• Verstappen needed to complete two timed laps to meet the minimum qualifying requirement. He did so comfortably, improving from a 9:11.649 first lap to the 8:18.539 benchmark.
• Scary incident: Early in Q1, the #900 Black Falcon Team Zimmermann Porsche crashed into barriers and was then struck by the #146 Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing car. Debris flew, but the driver standing near the edge was unharmed.
• An investigation was launched into the collision, which blocked the track and triggered a Code 60.
• Verstappen handed the car to teammates Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, who kept the #3 in the top three for most of the session. Wet patches and even hail appeared late, preventing further time improvements.
• The #80 Mercedes, with Fabian Schiller, clocked the fastest lap of Q1 at 8:14.957.

What's next:

Qualifying 2 will be held in the evening — deliberately timed to simulate night driving conditions. Verstappen is expected to take part again to gain valuable night experience before the 24-hour race itself. The stewards' investigation into the crash may also lead to penalties or further safety measures.