Max Verstappen will launch into his first-ever 24-hour race from a promising fourth place, after teammate Dani Juncadella delivered a 8:12.005 lap in Friday’s High Qualifying 3 to safe a second-row begin for Mercedes-AMG Group Verstappen Racing.
Pole place went to Luca Engstler within the #84 Lamborghini Pink Bull Group ABT, heading a front-row lockout for the Italian marque.
The four-time System One world champion shares the workforce’s blue‑and‑crimson Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo with Juncadella, Lucas Auer, and Jules Gounon, forming some of the high-profile lineups within the subject.
Verstappen himself had been sixth quickest in High Qualifying 2 earlier on Friday, having already booked his place within the shootout with a third-fastest time in Thursday’s timed session. His presence has triggered unprecedented curiosity: weekend passes offered out for the primary time within the occasion’s historical past.
Lamborghini Locks Out the Entrance Row
Engstler’s pole lap set the tone for the ultimate qualifying session, with teammate Marco Mapelli inserting the #130 Lamborghini alongside him. Christopher Haase put his Audi third, simply forward of the Verstappen Racing Mercedes.
Engstler described his method with attribute bluntness:“I feel the important thing was to go away the mind within the storage, and go full ship. I used to be simply attempting to squeeze each bit out, and in the long run, it labored out.”
Thursday’s working delivered a baptism of fireside for Verstappen. Heavy rain, darkness, and the Nordschleife’s infamous unpredictability mixed to create a brutal first evening session for the Dutchman.
“It was my first time driving within the evening. It was most likely the worst circumstances that you may hope for,” Verstappen mentioned. “However it was good for me, for my eyes, to get used to the darkness.
„And it felt proper. The automotive has felt good the entire time we have been driving right here. We’ve a variety of competitors, which basically is nice for everybody. However it’s been enjoyable.”
With temperatures anticipated to drop to 3 levels in a single day, the race guarantees additional complexity.
Juncadella, whose lap secured the workforce’s grid slot, was glad with the end result of a demanding day: “It was an excellent day. Ideally, you wish to begin within the first 5 positions for the race, and we’re P4. You at all times wish to be on pole, however P4 is a superb beginning place for what’s a really lengthy race.”
The workforce’s method to setup has been collaborative, as Auer defined: “To be sincere, all 4, which is tough however vital, as all people must carry out. We’ve no security automobiles right here, so no matter you lose, you actually lose. You can not achieve again simply by pure pace. So, I imagine we discovered a really stable base, and all people is pleased with that.”
As he prepares for his first 24-hour endurance race, Verstappen is concentrated on fundamentals: “Staying out of bother. You do not wish to choose up any type of injury early on.
„You wish to hold the automotive in a single piece, and likewise make the distinction within the visitors. After which it is between the drivers, holding good info in case there’s the altering climate. Retaining the automotive on observe, after which attempting to maximise the tempo from the automotive.”
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