Why Verstappen is racing in the Nurburgring 24 Hours this weekend

Max Verstappen will tackle the Nurburgring 24 Hours this weekend in a Red Bull-branded Mercedes-AMG GT3, continuing his push to conquer motorsport's biggest events outside Formula 1. The four-time world champion has prepared with six outings at the Nordschleife over the past 12 months, and the iconic endurance race begins Saturday at 2pm.

Why it matters:

Verstappen, who debuted in F1 at 17, has long wanted to race other categories while still at his peak. Now 28 and a four-time champion, he sees this as the perfect time to explore beyond F1. The Nurburgring 24 Hours is one of the world's toughest endurance races, featuring 161 cars on a 15.769-mile circuit known as "The Green Hell." Competing in the top GT3 class alongside Porsche, Ferrari, and Lamborghini entries, Verstappen must navigate slower traffic on tight track sections, with overtaking opportunities limited to the long Dottinger Hohe straight.

The details:

• Preparation: Verstappen has logged extensive seat time in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 through NLS races, including a notable battle with Christopher Haase earlier this year.
• Pit stop rhythm: GT3 cars can run about an hour on a full tank, with driver changes and tire swaps happening during stops.
• Sim racing edge: Verstappen regularly competes in sim racing for Team Redline, which he says keeps him sharp on setup and technique. He won the Nurburgring 24 Hours iRacing event in 2024, racing the same weekend as the Emilia Romagna GP.

What's next:

Verstappen has also tested prototype cars and aims to compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Ford's entry into WEC's top class from 2027, combined with their technical partnership with Red Bull, could open a path. Other targets include Daytona and Spa. After a frustrating start to the 2026 F1 season, Verstappen hinted at considering his future, and performance clauses in his Red Bull contract (which runs through 2028) could allow an early exit. A sabbatical to pursue a full endurance racing campaign remains a possibility.