Nürburgring 24 Hours: Red Bull Team ABT Takes Pole in Top Qualifying 3

Red Bull Team ABT will start from pole for the Nürburgring 24 Hours after Luca Engstler set the fastest time in Top Qualifying 3. The session, which determines the grid order for the top 12 cars, saw Engstler's lap of 8:11.123 edge out teammate Marco Mapelli by 0.345 seconds. Verstappen Racing's Daniel Juncadella placed fourth, improving from ninth after the first laps.

Why it matters:

Top Qualifying 3 sets the starting grid for the endurance classic, with the front row crucial for avoiding early traffic. Red Bull Team ABT's 1-2 lockout gives them a strong advantage for the 24-hour battle.

By the numbers:

• Luca Engstler (Red Bull Team ABT): 8:11.123 – pole position
• Marco Mapelli (Red Bull Team ABT): 8:11.468 – second, +0.345s
• Christopher Haase (Scherer Sport PHX): 8:11.984 – third
• Daniel Juncadella (Verstappen Racing): 8:12.005 – fourth
• Max Verstappen drove in TQ2, setting up the team's row two position.

What's next:

The Nürburgring 24 Hours gets underway Saturday. With a front-row lockout and Verstappen's team in the mix, the race promises intense competition. Teams will now focus on race strategy and reliability over the full 24 hours.