4-time Formulation 1 World Champion Max Verstappen is making ready to sort out one in all endurance racing’s most formidable challenges this week as he makes his extremely anticipated debut on the ADAC RAVENOL 24H Nürburgring.
The long-lasting four-day occasion begins with qualifying classes on 14–15 Might earlier than the legendary 24-hour race takes the inexperienced flag on 16–17 Might on the fearsome Nürburgring Nordschleife — a circuit extensively thought to be some of the demanding in world motorsport.
Already celebrated for his exceptional adaptability throughout completely different racing classes, Verstappen now provides endurance racing to an already extraordinary résumé. The Dutchman will compete for Mercedes-AMG Crew Verstappen Racing in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 operated in partnership with Winward Racing. Sharing driving duties with Verstappen are skilled Mercedes-AMG Efficiency Drivers Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Dani Juncadella.
Whereas this marks Verstappen’s first-ever 24-hour race, his preparation for the Nürburgring problem has been intensive. In 2025, he secured his DMSB Allow Nordschleife qualification earlier than claiming victory in spherical 9 of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) aboard a Ferrari 296 GT3 — additional underlining his rising credentials in GT and endurance equipment.
Momentum round Verstappen’s Nürburgring marketing campaign has continued to construct all through the season. Throughout April’s qualifying weekend, the Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 turned the primary automobile to dip under the nine-minute barrier in qualifying trim. Auer later secured fifth place within the timed session, whereas Verstappen himself led the opening phases of the following four-hour race earlier than a splitter challenge compromised the group’s consequence.
Forward of the occasion, Verstappen additionally accomplished further testing mileage on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with footage launched by way of the Crimson Bull Content material Pool. Earlier this season, the reigning Formulation 1 champion additional demonstrated his extraordinary versatility at Fuji Speedway, the place he examined a GT500 machine in heavy rain situations previous to the Japanese Grand Prix. On solely his second flying lap, Verstappen eclipsed the benchmark set by skilled Tremendous GT driver Atsushi Miyake.
Regardless of coming into one in all motorsport’s hardest endurance contests for the primary time, Verstappen has made the group’s ambitions unmistakably clear.
“Success is successful. That’s why we’re right here,” Verstappen mentioned. “I do know it’s not going to be straightforward, however that’s the goal for everybody.”
The Dutchman is especially desperate to expertise the distinctive environment of evening racing across the Nordschleife.
“It’s most likely going to be one of the best feeling,” he defined. “You’re by your self, pushing within the evening. The automobile is often quickest within the evening, so I’m trying ahead to it.”
Crew-mate Juncadella, a two-time general podium finisher on the Nürburgring 24 Hours, believes the circuit’s problem stays unmatched in world motorsport.
“It would by no means be simply one other observe,” he mentioned. “One way or the other, this observe is all the time intimidating, it doesn’t matter what, particularly when the situations change a lot. Even on a sunny, dry day, this observe is only a bit completely different. Particularly if you’re pushing and going to the restrict.”
The 54th version of the ADAC RAVENOL 24H Nürburgring will get underway at 15:00 CEST on Saturday, 16 Might, and concludes 24 hours afterward Sunday, 17 Might. Followers can observe the motion reside by way of Crimson Bull TV and thru Verstappen’s onboard protection on the Crimson Bull YouTube Motorsports channel.
