Nürburgring 24 Hours Qualifying Format Explained: A Complex System for 161 Cars

The Nürburgring 24 Hours qualifying format is notoriously complex, with sessions spread across Thursday and Friday to manage 161 cars on the Nordschleife. Here’s how it works, from the initial runs to the final shootout for pole position.

Why it matters:

Understanding the qualifying format is essential for following the build-up to one of endurance racing’s most demanding events. The multi-stage system ensures fair track time for all entries while creating a clear hierarchy before the 24-hour race. For top-class teams, it’s a strategic battle as much as a speed contest.

The details:

• Thursday sessions: Qualifying 1 and 2 serve as preparation for all cars. They set the grid from P50 down to P161 for non-top categories (SP9, SP-PRO, SP-X, AT1). Front-running teams use this track time to gather data and adapt to changing conditions around the Nordschleife.
• Friday Top Qualifying (TQ): 49 cars from the leading categories compete. Five teams are pre-qualified via earlier NLS Qualifiers. TQ1 (35 minutes) reduces the field to 20, TQ2 cuts to 7, and TQ3 brings 12 cars together—7 qualifiers plus 5 pre-qualified entries—for the final pole shootout.
• Schedule highlights: Thursday action runs 13:15–15:15 and 20:00–23:30 local time. Friday features TQ1 (08:50–09:25), TQ2 (09:45–10:20), Q3 (10:35–11:50), and TQ3 (13:35–14:35). Saturday warm-up at 10:00, with the race starting at 15:00.

What’s next:

The green flag drops Saturday at 15:00 local time, starting a 24-hour battle on the legendary circuit. Friday’s qualifying shootout will set the stage for the front runners, while the rest of the grid is already locked in from Thursday’s sessions. Expect intense competition from the first corner.