MAX VERSTAPPEN TO RACE THE 2026 24H OF NURBURGRING
Max Verstappen has confirmed that he will take part in the famous 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2026. The race will take place on May 16–17, and it will be an important moment for his racing project outside Formula 1.
Verstappen will compete with Verstappen Racing, which will run a Mercedes-AMG GT3 car together with Winward Racing, with support from Red Bull. The entry shows that Verstappen wants to expand his racing activities beyond Formula 1 and compete seriously in GT3 endurance racing.
Preparing Through the Nürburgring Endurance Series
Before the main event, Verstappen and the team will prepare by racing in several rounds of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). This championship takes place on the Nürburgring Nordschleife and is often used by teams to gain experience before the 24-hour race.
Verstappen is expected to race in NLS2 on March 21. Even though his Formula 1 schedule is very busy, he plans to use this race to get more practice on the track and improve preparation for the endurance event.
Previous Experience at the Nürburgring
Verstappen already has some experience on the Nordschleife. In 2025 he earned the DMSB Permit Nordschleife, a special license that drivers must have in order to race on the circuit.
After receiving the permit, he entered the NLS9 race with a Ferrari 296 GT3 run by Emil Frey Racing. He shared the car with Chris Lulham, and the pair managed to win the race. That event helped Verstappen and his team collect useful data and experience on one of the most difficult tracks in the world.
A Strong Driver Line-Up for Verstappen Racing
For the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours, Verstappen will not be racing alone. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be shared with three experienced GT drivers:
- Dani Juncadella
- Jules Gounon
- Lucas Auer
All three have strong backgrounds in GT racing and endurance competitions, creating a very competitive lineup for the event.
What does Verstappen think
Verstappen described the Nürburgring Nordschleife as a unique and special circuit. He explained that racing in the Nürburgring 24 Hours had been one of his goals for a long time.
He also said that winning the NLS race last year helped him understand the track better and prepare for the future. With a strong team, experienced teammates, and support from Red Bull and Mercedes-AMG, the focus now is on preparing well so the team can perform at its best during the race.
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