Verstappen Eyes Nürburgring 24 Hours Return with 'Unfinished Business'

Max Verstappen says he has "unfinished business" at the Nürburgring 24 Hours after a driveshaft failure robbed his team of a likely win with just over three hours remaining. The Red Bull driver, making his endurance racing debut at the Nordschleife, led for 21 hours before the mechanical issue dropped the #1 car to P38. Despite the heartbreak, Verstappen is eager to return, calling the experience "brutal" but "very exciting."

Why it matters:

Verstappen's growing passion for GT racing comes amid his sharp criticism of the 2026 F1 regulations. His willingness to commit to a grueling 24-hour race—and his desire to come back—signals a driver exploring life beyond Formula 1, even as he softens his stance on a potential exit at season's end.

The Details:

• Race lead lost: Verstappen, alongside Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Dani Juncadella, held a 30-second advantage with 3h20m to go before a driveshaft failure ended their charge. The team completed a ceremonial final lap, finishing P38.
• Verstappen's reflection: "Unfortunately, it's still a mechanical sport at the end of the day... we had everything under control. But the whole experience of driving in the wet, changing conditions, sharing it with my teammates—it was something I really enjoyed."
• Unfinished business: Asked about a return, Verstappen said: "I want to win it, so I want to go back. But of course the calendar needs to allow it."
• Russell's interest: George Russell told GPblog "never say never" about partnering Verstappen at the Nürburgring, though Verstappen downplayed the idea, noting they are in different stages of their F1 careers.

What's next:

Verstappen plans to target the Nürburgring 24 Hours again, calendar permitting. Meanwhile, his F1 future remains unresolved—he softened his stance on leaving Red Bull during Canadian GP media day. For now, the Dutchman is committed to growing his GT3 project and embracing endurance racing alongside his F1 duties.