4-time System 1 champion Max Verstappen has additionally loved a stellar profession in GT3, however he’ll miss quite a lot of NLS races in 2026 on account of his priorities with Pink Bull Racing
Max Verstappen will miss six races subsequent yr on account of System 1 taking priority over his GT3 profession. The 28-year-old made waves by profitable his GT3 debut, clinching the ninth spherical of the NLS (Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie) alongside Chris Lulham.
The pair stormed to victory in a four-hour race in a Ferrari 296 GT3 adorned with Verstappen.com and Pink Bull branding. It comes as simply one other feather in Verstappen’s cap, having lately gained the final two System 1 Grand Prix in Italy and Azerbaijan – victories which have rekindled his title aspirations.
F1 stays his fundamental focus and can proceed to be so for the foreseeable future. His £40million-a-year contract with Pink Bull means he’ll must miss a lot of the NLS season after the 2026 schedule was confirmed.
READ MORE: Pink Bull chief’s future was ‘contact and go’ amid sack risk and Max Verstappen strugglesREAD MORE: Singapore Grand Prix is ‘unfinished enterprise’ for Max Verstappen amid Pink Bull revival
It’s because six NLS races subsequent yr overlap with F1 Grand Prix. NLS1 clashes with China on March 14, NLS2 with Japan on March 28, NLS3 with Bahrain on April 11, and NLS4 and NLS5 with Saudi Arabia on April 19.
Nonetheless, NLS4 and NLS5 are seen as qualifiers for the Nurburgring 24 Hours, nevertheless it’s not obligatory to take part in them if you wish to enter the long-lasting occasion, as they do not decide your beginning place;.
Fortunately, Verstappen could have room in his schedule to compete, because the Nurburgring 24 Hours takes place from Might 15 to 17, between the Miami and Canadian Grand Prix, studies the Categorical.
The four-time F1 champion, who’s in a fierce competitors with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris for the title this season, has additionally acquired NLS6 on June 20 and NLS7 on August 1 in his sights.
Nonetheless, NLS8 and NLS9 are set to conflict with the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix, whereas NLS10 can be scheduled towards Singapore on October 10.
Verstappen has already shared his want to take part in ‘just a few’ NLS occasions in 2026, notably a sure race in Germany. He stated: “After all, we actually need to race the 24-hour race, right here on the Nordschleife.
“If that is going to be subsequent yr, I do not know but. We want extra expertise, so hopefully we will enter just a few extra NLS races subsequent yr.”
Talking about his debut win, Verstappen added: “It was nice Throughout my first two stints, the automobile was wonderful. After qualifying, I knew the automobile can be good on a dry observe.
“Every part went properly by way of visitors, and we did not make any large errors. To win my debut race right here is wonderful.”
Sky Sports activities launches discounted System 1 package deal
£43
£35
Sky
Get Sky Sports activities right here
System 1 followers can watch each follow, qualifying and race stay with Sky’s new Important TV and Sky Sports activities bundle in a brand new deal that saves £192.
In addition to Sky Sports activities entry, this consists of greater than 100 TV channels and free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
