19 April 2026PlanetF1Driver Ratings

Verstappen cites front splitter break for Nürburgring qualifier loss

Max Verstappen’s GT3 car broke its front splitter in Nürburgring 24‑Hour Qualifier, causing a 28‑minute pit stop that dropped the #3 from first to 87th. He felt the car was good, focused on 24‑Hour race.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and co‑driver Lucas Auer lost a likely win at the Nürburgring 24‑Hour Qualifier when the GT3 car’s front splitter broke, forcing a 28‑minute pit stop that dropped them from first to 87th. Verstappen said the car felt good otherwise and he’s still focused on the 24‑Hour race.

Why it matters:

Reliability risk for a high‑profile F1 champion in GT3.
The damage shows component durability is crucial for endurance qualifying.
The failure may impact Red Bull’s reputation in GT3 and endurance events.

The details:

Verstappen seized the lead early, building a gap before his second stint.
On lap two of his second stint the front splitter detached with no contact.
The team spent 28 minutes repairing the car, dropping it to 87th.
Auer re‑joined, fought back to 39th overall, while Verstappen praised the car’s handling.
The incident followed a pre‑race tribute to the late Juha Miettinen, who died in a separate crash at the circuit.

What's next:

Red Bull will investigate the splitter failure before the Nürburgring 24 Hours on May 16‑17.
Verstappen aims to fine‑tune his GT3 setup and gain night‑driving experience before the endurance race.
A final shakedown will verify the repairs before the 24‑Hour race.