Nürburgring 24 Hours: Max Verstappen’s Debut Underway as Leader Penalized

The opening hour of the Nürburgring 24 hours delivered early drama as Max Verstappen’s team ran inside the top three before a penalty reshuffled the order. Verstappen, making his debut in the legendary endurance race, climbed into the #3 Mercedes at the first pit stop and rejoined in P10.

Why it matters:

Verstappen’s presence at the Nordschleife adds star power to an already intense race. With his Red Bull F1 commitments on hold, the Dutchman is testing his versatility on one of motorsport’s toughest circuits, drawing global attention to the 24-hour classic.

The details:

• Daniel Juncadella started the #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes, losing ground after kicking up dirt but recovering to third early on.
• The #130 Lamborghini led from the start but was handed a 32-second penalty for a jump start, dropping it down the order when served.
• The #7 Lamborghini took over the lead as the top nine cars pitted just before the hour mark, allowing Verstappen to jump in.
• Cold, greasy conditions caused early spins, including Christopher Haase’s Audi on the formation lap, and a puncture for Mirko Bortolotti’s Lamborghini forced an early stop.
• A squabble between the #911 Porsche and #7 Lamborghini saw the Porsche snatch second, with Juncadella watching closely before handing over to Verstappen.

What’s next:

Verstappen faces a long night stint ahead, with rain expected later. His team targets a top finish after recovering from early setbacks. The penalty for the leader opens the door for others, but the 24-hour race is far from decided.