Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen is preparing to compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hour race this May, entering this renowned sports car endurance event during the two-week gap between the Miami Grand Prix and the Canadian Grand Prix. Verstappen, known for his fierce persona in Formula 1, is shifting focus to the Nürburgring with a Mercedes AMG GT3 backed by Red Bull sponsorship and entered by Winward Racing, bringing along a team of accomplished sports car drivers. This venture marks a notable step in Verstappen’s career, expanding beyond the F1 paddock into one of the most demanding endurance races in the world.
Accompanying Verstappen in the #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be Mercedes factory drivers Lucas Auer and Jules Gounon, alongside newly signed Genesis driver Daniel Juncadella. While this is a formidable lineup, Mercedes has not clinched a victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hour event in over ten years, adding a layer of historical challenge to the team’s campaign.
“The Nurburgring is a special place,” Verstappen said. “There’s no other track like it. The 24h Nurburgring is a race that’s been on my bucket list for a long time, so I’m really thrilled we can make it happen now. Last year, I was able to get my DMSB Permit Nordschleife and participate in NLS9, that we won. That preparation is very valuable, as we have learned a lot that we can take into our programme this year with NLS2 and the 24-hour race. We’ve got a strong line-up with Dani, Jules and Lucas and great support from Red Bull and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. Now it’s about putting in the right preparations before the events, so we can maximize everything in the races.”
— Max Verstappen, Formula 1 World Champion
Gaining Experience Through Intense Preparation
To qualify for competing at the Nürburgring, Verstappen underwent a rigorous process that included a qualifying test in a Porsche Cayman. Beyond physical track time, he invested countless hours in simulation racing online to familiarize himself with the demanding circuit. His practical experience at the Nürburgring grew last September during a Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) round, where he competed alongside Chris Lulham for Emil Frey Racing in a Ferrari 296, securing a win in the four-hour event.
Looking ahead, the Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 will also contest the second round of the NLS this year. This race will serve as crucial preparation for the team, the car, and Verstappen himself as they fine-tune their approach prior to the major 24-hour race.
Endurance Racing: A Return to Diverse Motorsports Roots
Verstappen’s entry into endurance racing represents a refreshing return to a time when race drivers commonly competed across multiple disciplines. Modern brand contracts and insurance constraints have often restricted drivers from participating in different series simultaneously, but Verstappen’s move bucks this trend. By showcasing his talent in sports car racing, he not only gains valuable seat time but also draws international attention to these smaller, highly challenging competitions.
This cross-disciplinary approach highlights Verstappen’s passion for motorsport beyond the F1 spotlight and signals what many expect will be a prominent post-Formula 1 chapter in his career. His enthusiasm for sports car racing, combined with the less aggressive nature of GT competition compared to F1, offers a promising avenue for Verstappen to expand his racing credentials.
Following the Footsteps of F1 Endurance Champions
If Verstappen manages to triumph at the Nürburgring 24 Hour in May, he will join an elite group of active Formula 1 drivers who have earned endurance race victories. This group includes Fernando Alonso, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 and 2019 with Toyota, as well as the 2019 Daytona 24 with Cadillac. Nico Hülkenberg is another, having secured a 24 Hours of Le Mans victory in 2015 for Porsche. Verstappen’s potential success would add to the legacy of Formula 1 stars who have proven their versatility and grit in some of motorsport’s toughest endurance challenges.
Max Verstappen’s involvement in the Nürburgring 24 Hour race is a significant moment that enriches the endurance racing landscape, spurring interest among fans and showcasing the adaptability of top-tier drivers. As preparations continue, the motorsport world will watch eagerly to see how Verstappen and his team perform on this historic and grueling circuit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqU-PRQdgzQ
