Max Verstappen Returns to Nurburgring for Endurance Race Build-up

Max Verstappen is swapping his Formula 1 car for a GT3 Mercedes this weekend, competing in a four-hour Nurburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS) race as part of his preparation for the iconic Nurburgring 24 Hours. The reigning F1 world champion, who won on his NLS debut last year, will race for a Red Bull-backed team during a rare free weekend on the F1 calendar, with the event streamed live online.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's participation highlights the growing trend of top F1 drivers seeking competitive racing outside their primary championship, testing their skills in vastly different machinery and conditions. His continued commitment to the Nurburgring 24 Hours project, a famously grueling and dangerous event, underscores a pure passion for motorsport beyond the F1 spotlight and provides valuable, high-pressure seat time that could subtly benefit his core discipline.

The details:

• Verstappen will race in the NLS series, the championship that supports and feeds into the Nurburgring 24 Hours, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 run by a team with Red Bull backing.
• The four-hour race takes place on the full Nordschleife circuit, the same track used for the 24-hour marathon in May.
• This serves as a crucial practice session, allowing him and the team to refine car setup, strategy, and his own familiarity with traffic and the circuit's unique challenges ahead of the main event.
• His appearance guarantees a significant global audience for the typically specialist NLS series, drawing F1 fans to endurance racing.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Verstappen's performance this Saturday as he balances outright speed with the consistency required for endurance racing. A strong result will build momentum for his primary goal: a successful campaign at the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May, where he will aim to translate his single-seater dominance into sportscar success on one of the world's most demanding tracks.