Nürburgring 24 Hours Qualifying 2 Results: Winward Racing Leads, Verstappen Third

Winward Racing topped the timing sheets in Qualifying 2 for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, with the #80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 posting a 8:14.957 lap on the Nordschleife. Wet conditions limited improvements across the board, leaving Max Verstappen’s #3 entry third fastest, while ROWE Racing’s BMWs secured second and fourth.

Why it matters:

• Pole margin: Winward’s #80 car was over three seconds quicker than the #1 ROWE BMW, underscoring the team’s pace in mixed conditions.
• Verstappen’s presence: The three-time F1 champion’s #3 Mercedes sits third, highlighting his adaptability to endurance racing on one of the world’s toughest circuits.
• Weather factor: Rain during the session prevented teams from improving earlier times, meaning the final grid for the 24-hour race may not fully reflect true pace.

The big picture:

• Manufacturer battle: Mercedes-AMG leads with the pole-winning Winward car and Verstappen’s entry, while BMW’s ROWE duo (P2 and P4) shows strong consistency. Porsche’s best is Manthey’s #911 in fifth.
• Notable entries: The #130 Red Bull Team ABT Lamborghini sits sixth, and HRT Ford’s Mustang GT3 is eighth, proving the new Ford is competitive on debut.
• Class spread: Over 160 cars qualified, with GT3s dominating the top 30, but entries range from TCR to cup-class cars, showcasing the event’s unique diversity.

What's next:

The 24-hour race starts later this week with changing weather forecast. While Winward’s pole gives an early advantage, the Nordschleife’s unpredictability means strategy and reliability will decide the winner. Fans can expect close battles among the top GT3 contenders, especially between Mercedes and BMW.