Juncadella eyes Nürburgring 24h win with Verstappen, but stresses luck is key

Daniel Juncadella is aiming to finally win the legendary 24 Hours of Nürburgring, with Max Verstappen as a key co-driver in the Verstappen Racing lineup. Despite having one of the strongest driver crews, the Spaniard acknowledges that victory at the grueling endurance classic is far from guaranteed, requiring a significant amount of luck and a flawless run.

Why it matters:

The Nürburgring 24h is one of the world's most demanding and unpredictable endurance races, and a win is a coveted achievement for any driver. For Verstappen Racing, a victory would be a massive milestone, validating the team's growth and Max Verstappen's project beyond Formula 1. It also highlights the busy, multi-series careers of modern professional drivers like Juncadella.

The details:

• Dream Team Effort: Juncadella is sharing the Verstappen Racing car with a formidable lineup including Max Verstappen, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer, giving the team a realistic shot at the top step of the podium.
• The Luck Factor: Juncadella emphasized that the chaotic nature of the long race means everything must go perfectly. "You need a lot of luck, you need everything to go your way," he stated, drawing from his experience of only finishing on the podium twice in over six years of attempts.
• A Packed Racing Schedule: Juncadella's primary focus for 2025 is the World Endurance Championship (WEC), where he races a hypercar for the new Genesis team. His goal there is steady development rather than immediate podiums.
• Simulator Role Takes a Back Seat: Due to his intense racing commitments in WEC, GT World Challenge Europe, and the Nürburgring programs, his role as a simulator driver for the Aston Martin Formula 1 team has become a lower priority, with no simulator sessions since December.

What's next:

The immediate goal is conquering the Nordschleife. A win would be a dream realized for Juncadella and a historic moment for Verstappen Racing. Meanwhile, his long-term ambition remains a podium finish in the World Endurance Championship with Genesis, as both he and the new team work methodically towards the front of the hypercar field.