Qualifying of the 2026 Nürburgring 24H Qualifiers 2 unfolded as a complex and highly competitive contest across the full GT3 field, as teams navigated evolving track conditions and constant traffic on the Nordschleife. With such a long and demanding circuit, putting together a clean lap proved just as important as outright pace, which meant that timing and execution quickly became decisive factors.
As the session developed, drivers adopted different approaches. Some pushed early to take advantage of improving grip, while others waited for a clearer track later on. In the end, it was Thierry Vermeulen who combined both speed and precision at the right moment, securing pole position with a lap that remained unreachable for the rest of the field.
Vermeulen puts together decisive lap in Qualifying at the 24H Nürburgring Qualifiers 2
Vermeulen delivered a composed and controlled performance to secure the fastest time, building his lap carefully across all sectors while avoiding the small mistakes that caught out several of his rivals. Rather than relying on one standout section, he maintained strong pace throughout the lap, which proved crucial on a circuit where consistency often makes the difference.
Equally important was his ability to find a clean window on track, as many drivers struggled to complete a lap without interruption. While others encountered traffic at critical moments or lost time through minor errors, Vermeulen maximised his opportunity when conditions were at their most favourable, allowing him to extract the full potential of the car.
Although several drivers attempted to respond in the closing stages, none managed to match the overall execution of his lap. As a result, he secured pole position and placed himself in a strong position heading into the race.
Tight fight unfolds behind the leader
Behind the leading time, the fight for the top positions remained extremely close, with multiple GT3 contenders exchanging fast laps as the session progressed. The gaps between them stayed minimal, which highlighted just how competitive the field has become.
As the session moved into its later phase, improvements became increasingly difficult to achieve, largely because drivers were already pushing close to their limits. Even small misjudgements in high-speed sections or slightly compromised exits onto longer straights were enough to cost valuable time, preventing several strong contenders from mounting a serious challenge for pole.
At the same time, the depth of the grid became particularly evident, as a large number of cars remained within a narrow time range. This underlined the level of competition and suggested that the order remains far from settled, especially with race conditions likely to introduce further variables.
Traffic shapes the outcome
Traffic played a decisive role throughout the session and had a direct impact on many of the final lap times, as the length of the Nordschleife makes it extremely difficult to find uninterrupted running. Drivers frequently caught slower cars in key sections, which forced them to adjust their lines or lift off the throttle, breaking the rhythm that is essential for a competitive lap.
Because of this, teams had to carefully manage when to send their cars out, knowing that even a well executed lap could be compromised by traffic at the wrong moment. Those who managed to find clear track gained a significant advantage, while others saw promising runs slip away despite showing strong underlying pace.
This constant challenge added another layer of complexity to the session and reinforced how important strategy and awareness are, even in qualifying conditions.
Track evolution adds another challenge
Track conditions continued to improve during Qualifying at the 24H Nürburgring Qualifiers 2, with cooler temperatures providing better grip compared to earlier running and allowing drivers to push with greater confidence. However, this improvement did not continue indefinitely, which meant that the optimal window for setting a fast lap remained relatively short.
Drivers who managed to take advantage of this phase were able to secure strong positions, while those who missed it often struggled to make further gains later on. As a result, delivering a clean and consistent lap at the right moment became more important than attempting multiple improvements toward the end.
Across the field, consistency remained a key factor, as the Nürburgring punishes even the smallest errors over the course of such a long lap. Several drivers showed competitive pace in individual sectors, yet were unable to combine them into a complete performance.
Open contest ahead of the race
With the grid now set following Qualifying at the 24H Nürburgring Qualifiers 2, the focus shifts toward the race, where the close margins seen in qualifying suggest that the fight will remain wide open. Vermeulen starts from the front, but the tightly packed field behind him will challenge his advantage quickly.
Race conditions are expected to introduce additional variables, including strategy, tyre management, and the continued presence of traffic, all of which will play a crucial role in shaping the outcome. Maintaining track position will be important, yet doing so consistently over a race distance at the Nürburgring presents its own challenges.
Overall, the session offered a clear indication of just how competitive the field is, with no single team holding a decisive advantage. That uncertainty sets the stage for what promises to be a closely contested and demanding race.
Top 10 after Qualifying at the 24H Nürburgring Qualifiers 2
- Perel / Marschall / Vermeulen – #45 Ferrari 269 GT3 Evo26 – PRO
- Zsigo / Kranz / Jahn – #23 BMW M4 GT3 EVO– PRO/AM
- Haase / Sims / Green – #16 Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo || – PRO
- Preining / Campbell – #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Evo26 – PRO
- Verstappen / Auer – #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 – PRO
- Christodoulou / Lulham / Grenier – #26 Mercedes-AMG GT3 – PRO
- Heyer / Härtling / Fittje – PRO/AM – #11 Mercedes-AMG GT3 – PRO/AM
- Arrow / Assenheimer / Müller / Pereira – #48 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Evo26 – PRO/AM
- Engel / Schiller / Stolz – #80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 – PRO
- Kaya / Kiefer /Piana / Stursberg – #5 – Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Evo26 – AM
Full results of Qualifying 2 at the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers (Provisional).
