Max Verstappen consoles 'heartbroken' teammate with defiant message

Max Verstappen has declared “we will be back” after the #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes was cruelly denied victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

Verstappen impressed on his debut at the endurance classic this weekend, sharing a Mercedes-AMG GT3 with teammates Jules Gounon, Lucas Auer and Daniel Juncadella. The quartet built a commanding lead of around 45 seconds after Verstappen’s final stint on Sunday morning.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen’s first appearance at the Nürburgring 24 Hours showcased his adaptability beyond Formula 1. The near-certain win would have added a prestigious endurance trophy to his collection.
• The heartbreak underscores how mechanical reliability can decide even the most dominant performances at the Green Hell.

The big picture:

• The #3 car developed a driveshaft problem shortly after Juncadella replaced Verstappen, with just three hours remaining.
• The team finished 38th, while the #80 Mercedes of Engel, Stolz, Schiller and Martin took victory.
• Gounon posted an emotional Instagram message calling himself “heartbroken” and saying he needed “a little time away.”
• Verstappen replied simply: “We will be back mate,” accompanied by a flexed-bicep emoji.
• Juncadella described the race as “a dream” until the failure, noting they had built a two-minute lead over everyone else.

What's next:

• Verstappen’s defiant message suggests the team will pursue another attempt at the endurance classic. The experience gained from this near-miss could make them even stronger contenders next year.