4-time Method 1 World Champion Max Verstappen is making ready to sort out considered one of endurance racing’s most formidable challenges this week as he makes his extremely anticipated debut on the ADAC RAVENOL 24H Nürburgring.
The enduring 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 considered one of the demanding in international motorsport.
Already celebrated for his exceptional adaptability throughout totally 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 grew to become 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 next four-hour race earlier than a splitter situation compromised the staff’s outcome.
Forward of the occasion, Verstappen additionally accomplished extra testing mileage on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with footage launched via the Pink Bull Content material Pool. Earlier this season, the reigning Method 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 getting into considered one of motorsport’s hardest endurance contests for the primary time, Verstappen has made the staff’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 simple, however that’s the goal for everybody.”
The Dutchman is especially desperate to expertise the distinctive environment of night time 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 night time. The automobile is often quickest within the night time, so I’m wanting ahead to it.”
Crew-mate Juncadella, a two-time total podium finisher on the Nürburgring 24 Hours, believes the circuit’s problem stays unmatched in world motorsport.
“It is going to by no means be simply one other observe,” he mentioned. “One way or the other, this observe is at all times 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 totally different. Particularly whenever 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 Pink Bull TV and thru Verstappen’s onboard protection on the Pink Bull YouTube Motorsports channel.
