MAX VERSTAPPEN TARGETS THE NÜRBURGRING AND SPA 24 HOURS IN 2027
Max Verstappen is considering competing in both the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and the 24 Hours of Spa in 2027. The Red Bull driver confirmed in Baku that both races are possible options for his programme next year, provided he can fit them into his Formula 1 schedule and prepare properly.
“I know there is no clash, but it still needs to work out in my schedule, and then I’ll do it. And Spa is an exciting option to do it,” Verstappen said when asked about his plans for 2027. He also confirmed that the Nürburgring remains on his plans after his experience there this year.
Verstappen made his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut in 2026 with a Mercedes-AMG GT3 entered by Winward Racing. He was fighting for victory late in the race before technical problems ended his chances of winning. The experience has left him interested in returning to the Nordschleife for another attempt in 2027.
The 2027 Formula 1 calendar makes both races possible without a direct Grand Prix clash. The Nürburgring 24 Hours falls between the Canadian Grand Prix on May 21-23 and the Monaco Grand Prix on June 4-6. The Spa 24 Hours is also scheduled on a weekend without a Formula 1 race.
The Nürburgring race is also entering a new phase in 2027. The organisers have announced the ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours Series, which will add a 24-hour Prologue and two additional summer events using the same technical regulations as the main race. The aim is to give teams and drivers more opportunities to prepare for the main Nordschleife event.
The 24 Hours of Spa would represent a different challenge for Verstappen. The Belgian event is one of the biggest GT3 races in the world and is part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Verstappen already has a connection to the event through his Verstappen.com Racing programme, which has competed with GT3 machinery in recent seasons.
Verstappen had already spoken about his desire to race at Spa during the 2026 season. At the time, he said he wanted the event to be scheduled away from a Formula 1 weekend, and the 2027 calendar now gives him that opportunity.
However, Verstappen has ruled out racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2027 for now. The French endurance classic takes place on June 12-13, between the Monaco and Portuguese Grands Prix, so there is no direct F1 race clash. The main issue is the preparation required for the event, including the mandatory test day for rookie drivers, which falls close to the Monaco weekend.
This means Verstappen could potentially combine a full Formula 1 season with two major GT3 endurance races in 2027. The Nürburgring would give him another chance to fight for victory after his 2026 disappointment, while Spa would allow him to compete in another major 24-hour race that has been on his list for some time. His final programme will depend on his preparation and how it fits around the F1 season.
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