The 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers delivered a tense and incident-filled race, offering a crucial benchmark ahead of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. However, the event began on a sombre note, as the field observed a poignant minute’s silence in memory of BMW 325i driver Juha Miettinen, who tragically passed away in a fatal crash on Saturday, that led to the first race being called off.
Against that emotional backdrop, teams refocused quickly, and as a result, changing conditions, on-track battles, and late-race drama ultimately defined the outcome, with Scherer Sport PHX emerging on top.
Scherer Sport PHX converts pace into victory
From the outset, Scherer Sport PHX demonstrated both composure and intent. The Audi squad with Ben Green, Alexander Sims and Christopher Haase combined outright speed with disciplined execution, and importantly, avoided the mistakes that compromised several of its rivals. As the race at the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers unfolded, they steadily worked their way towards the front, taking advantage of opportunities as they arose.
Moreover, their strategy calls proved decisive. While others struggled with traffic or minor setbacks, Scherer Sport remained consistent and efficient in every phase of the race. Once they secured the lead, they controlled the pace effectively and managed the gap without unnecessary risks. Consequently, their measured approach allowed them to convert strong pace into a well-earned victory.
In addition, the result underlined Audi’s continued strength on the Nordschleife. It also reinforced Scherer Sport PHX’s credentials as a serious contender heading into the main 24h event.
Max Verstappen hit by misfortune after early promise
In contrast, Max Verstappen’s and Lucas Auer’s race told a very different story. Initially, they showed impressive pace and remained firmly in contention among the frontrunners. Their performance in the early stages suggested that they could play a decisive role in the fight for victory.
However, as the race progressed, their challenge began to unravel. Contact in traffic resulted in damage that ultimately forced Verstappen’s and Auer’s car out of contention. Although such incidents are not uncommon on the Nordschleife, the timing proved particularly costly. As a result, one of the strongest challengers dropped out of the fight at the front, finishing the race 39th overall.
Nevertheless, the pace shown prior to the incident offered encouragement. Even so, the team will need to analyse the setback carefully, especially with limited time remaining before the 24h race.
Incidents and traffic continue to shape the race at the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers
Meanwhile, the race itself once again highlighted the unique challenges of the Nürburgring. Although conditions were more stable than on Saturday, the circuit remained unforgiving. Traffic management, in particular, played a crucial role throughout the race.
As cars navigated slower classes, time losses and small errors began to accumulate. In several cases, minor incidents or technical issues disrupted otherwise promising runs. Therefore, maintaining rhythm and avoiding unnecessary risks proved just as important as outright speed.
Furthermore, the dense traffic created constant pressure on drivers, forcing them to make quick decisions in high-speed sections. Consequently, even small misjudgements carried significant consequences, which in turn shaped the overall race order.
Valuable preparation ahead of the 24h race at the Nürburgring
Ultimately, beyond the final result, the Qualifiers served their primary purpose as a key preparation event. Teams gathered valuable data across long runs, focusing on tyre wear, fuel strategy, and setup optimisation. At the same time, drivers gained further experience in managing traffic and adapting to evolving track conditions.
For Scherer Sport PHX with Green, Sims and Haase, the victory provides both confidence and momentum heading into the main event. With the #84 ABT Lamborghini driven by Luca Engstler, Mirko Bortolotti and Patric Niederhauser following in second and the #911 Manthey Porsche of Thomas Preining and Matt Campbell in thrid. On the other hand, teams that encountered setbacks, including Verstappen’s squad, must regroup quickly and apply the lessons learned.
Looking ahead, the competitive nature of the field suggests that no single team holds a clear advantage. Therefore, every detail will matter when the grid returns for the 24h race. If the Qualifiers are any indication, the battle for victory will be both intense and unpredictable.
Full results of the Race at the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers
