Verstappen calls Nürburgring 24 Hours qualifying 'super tough' after securing fourth on grid

Max Verstappen’s Nürburgring 24 Hours debut delivered a tense qualifying result: fourth on the grid, secured by a knife-edge push through the knockout stages. The four-time F1 champion called it "super tough," admitting he "just managed to sneak in" during his TQ2 stint in the Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's move into endurance racing at the Nordschleife is no casual experiment. With careful preparation across multiple GT outings between F1 races, he's treating the 24-hour event with the same seriousness as a Grand Prix. His rapid adaptation to one of motorsport's most feared circuits already has rivals watching closely.

The details:

• Verstappen drove the #3 Mercedes alongside Lucas Auer, Daniel Juncadella, and Jules Gounon.
• He advanced from TQ2 to TQ3 with a lap 1.129 seconds off the benchmark, enough to move forward.
• The Dutchman used his first-ever night qualifying stint in rain and fog as a learning opportunity: "At least I got a good first idea of what to expect potentially in the race."
• He emphasized the team's methodical preparation: "We prepared as well as we could as a team... a really professional group putting their heart and soul into everything."

What's next:

The 24-hour race now unfolds, with Verstappen aiming to turn careful preparation into control on the Nordschleife. His focus remains on execution rather than spectacle — a mindset that could define his endurance racing future.