Whether or not Max Verstappen shall be driving within the legendary Nurburgring 24 Hours this 12 months is a sizzling matter of debate. The course for that look had been set by the Nurburgring Endurance Series (NLS) bringing forward the second round of the championship to keep away from a conflict with the Method 1 calendar.
So now it is clearly as much as the four-time F1 world champion.However he has been reluctant to take action lately – and an official affirmation continues to be pending.
Nevertheless, as Autosport’s sister title Motorsport-Complete.com has discovered from well-informed sources, Verstappen’s begin at NLS2 on 21 March 2026 is now sure. The 28-year-old Dutchman will compete within the four-hour race with a Mercedes-AMG GT3 from the Winward workforce.
The race, which was introduced ahead by every week at Mercedes’ request and can now happen on Saturday between the grands prix in China and Japan, is Verstappen’s solely probability to organize for the 24-hour problem within the Eifel, so long as F1 doesn’t cancel the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia with out alternative as a result of battle in Iran.
If that occurs, there would theoretically even be the opportunity of Verstappen competing in NLS3 (11 April) and the Qualifiers weekend (18-19 April).
It’s understood that preparations are already in full swing. With skilled Winward man Thomas Gleibs, the race engineer who will take care of Verstappen’s automotive has additionally been chosen.
As for the Verstappen’s team-mates, hearsay has it that there’s now even a risk that the automotive will compete with the identical line-up as within the 24-hour race later within the 12 months.
Along with DTM runner-up Lucas Auer, Verstappen’s confidant Daniel Juncadella and Mercedes works driver Jules Gounon are actually additionally accessible on 21 March, which was not initially anticipated. The explanation for that is the postponement of the opening spherical of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Qatar as a result of battle within the Center East.
This additionally meant that the pre-season-test (Prologue) on 22 and 23 March, which might have overlapped with NLS2, was cancelled. Consequently, Juncadella and Gounon are usually not wanted for the Genesis and Alpine Hypercar tasks respectively.
The quartet can also be set to compete within the 24-hour race with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in Pink Bull design and with Haribo as a further sponsor.
Max Verstappen, Mercedes-AMG GT3
Picture by: Miguel Reis / NurPhoto through Getty Photographs
Verstappen’s sim racing colleague Chris Lulham, with whom he received within the Emil Frey Ferrari on the Nordschleife, was additionally initially thought-about a candidate, however he lacks expertise on the demanding race monitor with its hills and valleys, in addition to expertise within the Mercedes automotive.
However does Verstappen’s begin at NLS2 mechanically imply that he can even compete within the 24-hour race on the ‘Inexperienced Hell’ from 14 to 17 Might? There’s more likely to be a primary settlement between Verstappen and Mercedes-AMG on this regard. Nevertheless, cancellation of NLS2 can’t be fully dominated out as a result of unpredictable climate within the Eifel area.
“If I do it, I would like one race in preparation in comparison with guys which were doing it for some time and have a bit extra expertise,” Verstappen stated throughout F1 testing in Bahrain, setting a transparent situation for entry. “Additionally, for me, doing it in a brand new automotive that I’ve not pushed there on the Nordschleife, I believe you want a race simply to be taught the procedures.”
It will subsequently come as no shock if Verstappen stored the theoretical possibility open to cancel the challenge ought to the situations not swimsuit him. However one factor can also be clear: previously ten years, there have solely been two events when there was no conflict between the 24-hour race and the F1 calendar. As well as, Verstappen has lately been testing intensively with the Mercedes-AMG GT3. As such, it is unclear if one other alternative as beneficial as 2026 will come up.
A victory wouldn’t solely make Verstappen historical past, but additionally stop the Silver Arrows from going ten years with no win within the basic race. And that as a Pink Bull driver!
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Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
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Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
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Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
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Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
Australian GP – Thursday, in photos
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