Max Verstappen has confirmed that a front splitter failure was the cause of his team’s dramatic loss of victory contention during the GT3 race at the Nürburgring.
Driving the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Verstappen Racing, the four-time world champion delivered a standout opening stint. Starting from fifth, he carved his way through the field within the first hour, taking the lead with a series of decisive overtakes and strong pace.
After the initial round of pit stops, Verstappen extended his advantage at the front, building what looked to be a comfortable lead and putting the team firmly on course for victory in the four-hour event.
However, the race took a decisive turn during his second pit stop. Although a driver change to Lucas Auer had already been planned, the team quickly identified a serious issue with the front end of the car. The problem—later confirmed as a splitter failure—forced the car into the garage for extensive repairs.
What should have been a routine stop turned into a lengthy delay, with the #3 machine stationary for 28 minutes while mechanics worked to fix the damage. By the time Auer rejoined the race, the car had dropped to 87th position, effectively ending any chance of converting their early dominance into a win.
Despite the setback, Auer produced a determined recovery drive, working his way back through the field to finish 39th overall by the chequered flag. While the final result did not reflect the car’s early pace, the performance in the opening stages underlined the competitiveness of the Verstappen Racing entry.
The event itself began on a somber note, with tributes paid to Juha Miettinen, who tragically lost his life in an accident at the circuit the previous day. The incident served as a reminder of the risks involved in motorsport, even as teams and drivers competed in one of the most demanding endurance races on the calendar.
For Verstappen, the race showcased both his adaptability outside Formula 1 and the unpredictable nature of endurance racing—where even a dominant performance can be undone by a single mechanical failure.
Max Verstappen admitted he was left puzzled by the front-end failure that derailed his race at the Nürburgring, insisting there had been no contact that could explain the damage.
Reflecting on the issue, Verstappen said it was “strange” given he hadn’t hit another car, suggesting the team will need to investigate further to understand how the splitter failure occurred. Despite the setback, he remained upbeat about his overall performance and the car’s pace during his stint.
He explained that he enjoyed the race and felt comfortable behind the wheel, even while navigating heavy traffic—a key aspect of endurance racing. The Dutch driver also highlighted the value of battling with other GT3 competitors, describing it as useful preparation for future events.
Importantly, Verstappen sees this outing as part of his build-up to the iconic Nürburgring 24 Hours, which takes place on May 16–17. He believes he is as ready as possible for the challenge, though he acknowledged one remaining gap in his preparation: a lack of night driving experience at the circuit.
Even so, his confidence remains high. While the result didn’t reflect the early promise of his race, the experience gained—both in racecraft and adapting to GT3 machinery—should prove valuable as he prepares for one of the most demanding endurance events in motorsport.