Verstappen's Nürburgring 24 Hours Debut Underway

Max Verstappen's long-awaited debut in the Nürburgring 24 Hours is now underway, with the four-time F1 world champion driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Team Abt. The race, which started Saturday afternoon, has attracted over 300,000 spectators at the Nordschleife, with millions more tuning in online for his first endurance race.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's entry into the Nürburgring 24 Hours marks a rare crossover of a Formula 1 superstar into GT racing, drawing unprecedented attention to one of motorsport's most demanding events. His participation could boost the race's profile globally, while giving Red Bull a high-profile platform beyond F1. With Team Abt securing a 1-2 in qualifying, the #3 Mercedes is among the favorites, but 24-hour racing is notoriously unpredictable.

The Details:

• Qualifying: Luca Engstler put the #84 Lamborghini Huracan on pole, followed by the #2 Abt car. Verstappen's #3 Mercedes qualified third, driven by Dani Juncadella in the session.
• Driver lineup: Verstappen shares the car with Juncadella (who took the start), Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer — all experienced GT drivers.
• Team: Team Abt is a factory-backed squad with a strong Nürburgring record, now with Red Bull support.
• Attendance: Over 300,000 fans on-site, making this the biggest Nürburgring 24 Hours in over a decade.

What's Next:

The race unfolds over 24 hours, with driver changes, pit strategy, and weather playing critical roles. Verstappen's stints will be among the most-watched. If the #3 car avoids mechanical issues and incidents, it could challenge for victory, though the pole-sitting Lamborghini and other strong entries will provide stiff competition.