Max Verstappen will make the most of an unexpected gap in the Formula 1 calendar by competing in the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Qualifiers, further strengthening his preparations for his debut in the iconic endurance race. The four-time Formula 1 world champion continues to broaden his GT racing experience as he balances commitments across disciplines.
The adjustment to Verstappen’s schedule comes after the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian F1 races due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. As a result, the Dutch driver now has the opportunity to add valuable track time at the Nürburgring Nordschleife ahead of the Nürburgring 24, scheduled for May 16–17.
Consequently, Verstappen will contest the N24 Qualifiers on April 18–19, which feature two four-hour races. This additional outing offers crucial mileage on one of the world’s most demanding circuits, often referred to as the “Green Hell”.
Verstappen building experience at the Nordschleife
Verstappen has already demonstrated strong pace in GT3 machinery at the Nürburgring. Driving a Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo operated by Winward Racing, he crossed the line first in what was effectively the second round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS2) last month.
However, officials later disqualified the entry after it was found to have used an extra set of tyres beyond the regulatory limit. Despite the setback, the performance underlined Verstappen’s growing confidence and capability in endurance racing machinery.
Importantly, organisers rescheduled the NLS2 event to allow Verstappen to participate, highlighting the anticipation surrounding his Nürburgring 24 debut.
Verstappen Racing to field revised driver line-up for Nürburgring 24 Qualifiers
For the upcoming qualifiers, Verstappen will share driving duties with Lucas Auer in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo. Regular teammates Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella will be absent, as both drivers are set to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship round at Imola that same weekend.
This revised pairing still provides a strong combination, with Auer bringing significant GT and DTM experience to complement Verstappen’s rapidly developing endurance racing skills.
Eyes on Nürburgring 24 debut
Earlier this year, Verstappen confirmed plans to contest the Nürburgring 24 alongside Auer, Gounon and Juncadella. The Dutchman earned that opportunity following a successful GT3 debut in the NLS9 race last season, where he claimed victory.
Now, with additional track time secured through the N24 Qualifiers, Verstappen enters the final phase of preparation for one of endurance racing’s toughest challenges. As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on how the Formula 1 star translates his growing Nordschleife experience into performance during his highly anticipated Nürburgring 24 debut.
