Verstappen Advances to Pole Shootout at Nürburgring 24 Hours

Max Verstappen has successfully qualified for the Nürburgring 24 Hours pole shootout after securing a top-seven position in Top Qualifying 2. The four-time F1 champion placed 6th overall in the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 fielded by his own team, Verstappen Racing, alongside co-drivers Juncadella, Gounon, and Auer.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's debut at the legendary endurance race adds a new dimension to his already diverse motorsport career. Competing in the SP9 class against factory GT crews, he's aiming to prove his adaptability on one of the most demanding circuits in the world. A strong qualifying position sets up the team for a competitive run in the 24-hour classic.

The details:

• Top Qualifying 2 was led by the #130 Red Bull Team ABT Lamborghini of Mapelli, Catsburg, and Yelloly, setting the pace for the SP9 class.
• Other front-runners included the #34 Walkenhorst Aston Martin, #911 Manthey Porsche, and both #64 and #67 HRT Ford Mustangs.
• Verstappen's #3 Mercedes-AMG finished just ahead of the #7 Franz Konrad Lamborghini and #26 PROsport Mercedes.
• The session determined the top seven cars that advance to the pole shootout, with Verstappen safely making the cut.

What's next:

The pole shootout will decide the final grid order for the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Verstappen's team is well-positioned to challenge for a front-row start, but the real test begins when the green flag drops for the endurance marathon. More details on the shootout results are expected shortly.