Verstappen aiming high at 24H Nürburgring debut

Max Verstappen is not contesting this weekend's 24H Nürburgring just to make up the numbers.

“Success is winning," said the four-time Formula 1 world champion. "That's why we're here. I know it's not going to be easy, but that's the target for everyone.”

Verstappen's 24 hour debut will come in Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing's Mercedes-AMG GT3 operated in cooperation with Winward Racing. He'll share the car with Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella. 

Verstappen earned his DMSB Permit Nordschleife in 2025, and went on to win the ninth round of the NLS in a Ferrari 296 GT3 the same year.

In the build-up to this weekend's race, Verstappen spent a session at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Last month, ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, he tested himself at Fuji Speedway, where he climbed into a GT500 car in heavy rain for the first time and, on only his second flying lap, beat the lap time of experienced Super GT driver Atsushi Miyake (1m42.290s against 1m44.075s).

April's qualifying weekend offered an early read on Verstappen Racing's pace. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 was the first car to break the 9m00s mark in qualifying. Auer took it to fifth in the timed lap session, and in the four-hour race that followed, Verstappen led the field for the opening 90 minutes before a splitter issue dropped the team down the order.

One new challenge that awaits is racing through the night.

“It's probably going to be the best feeling,” Verstappen said. “You're by yourself, pushing in the night. The car is normally fastest in the night, so I'm looking forward to it.”

For Juncadella, who has twice reached the overall podium at the event, the Nordschleife never loses its edge.

“It will never be just another track,” he says. “Somehow, this track is always intimidating, no matter what, especially when the conditions change so much. Even on a sunny, dry day, this track is just a bit different. Especially when you're pushing and going to the limit.”

Watch the 24H Nürburgring LIVE on RACER Network and RACER+