Max Verstappen returned to the Nürburgring Nordschleife last weekend, taking advantage of the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to continue his preparations for endurance racing by competing in qualifying events for the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 alongside Lucas Auer, Verstappen took part in the Top Qualifying session in a highly competitive field that included factory-level GT machinery from Audi and Ferrari. Although Auer set the initial benchmark in qualifying by placing their car inside the top five, it was Verstappen who handled the opening race stint.
From the start, the four-time Formula 1 world champion immediately made progress through the field, gaining a position to run fourth before quickly closing in on the leading group. He soon moved into second place after overtaking Ferrari driver Dennis Marschall, who had initially taken advantage of early race pace.
The main battle of the stint then developed between Verstappen and Audi driver Christopher Haase, who had taken the lead in his R8 LMS after a strong early push. Verstappen stayed firmly in contention, applying constant pressure and eventually finding a way through to take the lead roughly 30 minutes into the stint. His pace and racecraft drew attention in the paddock, as he demonstrated an ability to adapt seamlessly from Formula 1 machinery to GT3 endurance racing conditions.
Once in front, Verstappen began to build a gap, stretching his advantage to around 32 seconds. However, his progress was interrupted during the first major pit sequence when the Mercedes-AMG team elected to complete a driver change and address unexpected damage.
Unlike the Audi, which performed a driver swap during its stop, Verstappen’s initial pit visit was limited to refuelling, briefly helping extend his stint advantage. Later in the race, however, the team discovered a broken front splitter on the #3 car, forcing a prolonged stop of approximately 28 minutes while repairs were carried out.
After the delay, Auer returned to the cockpit and rejoined the race, working his way through the lower classes in the multi-category field. Despite the earlier setback, the pair ultimately completed the event in 39th position overall.
The performance added another chapter to Verstappen’s growing reputation in endurance racing circles, with his ability to immediately adapt to the demanding Nürburgring Nordschleife once again drawing attention from rivals and observers alike.
Max Verstappen came away satisfied with his latest Nürburgring outing, even if the result didn’t fully reflect the pace and control he showed during the GT3 race preparations for the upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Reflecting on the on-track battles, rival driver Christopher Haase was full of praise for Verstappen’s racecraft, particularly in close-quarters combat through traffic and changing conditions. He admitted that while the situation “felt a little better” at certain moments, he was ultimately unable to capitalise on opportunities due to positioning and timing in the fight for track space.
Haase also highlighted Verstappen’s composure in wheel-to-wheel situations, noting that he “positioned himself perfectly each time” and drove with respect in traffic. He described the Red Bull driver’s approach as both controlled and effective, adding that it made for an impressive overall display even in defeat from his perspective.
Despite missing out on a stronger finishing position after setbacks during the race, Verstappen himself expressed clear enjoyment from the experience. He said the car felt competitive and stable throughout his stints, allowing him to focus on consistent pace rather than simply survival in the dense GT3 traffic.
The Max Verstappen driver explained that the race provided valuable preparation for the upcoming endurance challenge, particularly due to the intensity of multi-class racing and the constant need to adapt to slower traffic while maintaining rhythm and tyre performance.
He also noted that battling other GT3 cars offered important real-world training ahead of the 24-hour event, where traffic management and situational awareness are often as crucial as outright speed. According to Verstappen, the experience reinforced his confidence that he is as prepared as he can be for the race itself.
However, he acknowledged one key unknown remains: night running. Verstappen pointed out that he has not yet completed significant running in darkness at the Nürburgring, which will be a critical component of the endurance event. Still, he suggested that beyond that limitation, there is little more preparation that can realistically be done.
The Nürburgring 24 Hours is scheduled for the weekend of 16–17 May, and Verstappen confirmed earlier in the season that he intended to take part in the prestigious GT endurance classic, marking another step in his expanding motorsport portfolio beyond Formula 1.