Max Verstappen Debuts in 24-Hour Nürburgring Race in Mercedes-AMG GT3 as F1 Future Wavers
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 16
Max Verstappen Debuts in 24-Hour Nürburgring Race in Mercedes-AMG GT3 as F1 Future Wavers
10 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 16
Max Verstappen, 28, will make his first 24-hour race start this weekend at the Nürburgring, sharing a Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Daniel Juncadella, Lucas Auer and Jules Gounon.
The four-time F1 champion has expanded into sports cars while growing disillusioned with Formula 1, and a future Le Mans entry is already on his mind.
12.9 miles and about 70 turns make the Nordschleife one of endurance racing’s toughest tests, with rain forecast adding another challenge to a race that starts at 3 p.m. local time Saturday.
Verstappen has already shown speed there: he won a smaller Nürburgring race last year, and his car crossed the line first in a March warm-up before a tire-rule disqualification.
A sellout crowd and heavier media attention will add pressure in a discipline where pacing, traffic management and even sleep can matter as much as outright pace.
Is Verstappen's endurance race a genuine career shift or a power play to reshape his future in Formula 1?
With its top star seeking 'real motorsport', can Formula 1 fix its controversial 2026 rules before it's too late?