Max Verstappen's Near Win at Nürburgring 24 Hours Ends in Heartbreak

Max Verstappen's bid for glory in the Nürburgring 24 Hours ended in dramatic fashion when a broken driveshaft struck the #3 Mercedes with under four hours remaining, handing victory to the sister #80 Winward Racing car. The four-time F1 champion and his teammates—Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer—had dominated most of the race, leading by over six minutes at one stage, but a mechanical failure derailed their charge.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's exceptional pace in an endurance setting once again highlighted his versatility, but the reliability failure underscores how endurance racing can be unforgiving. Mercedes-Benz celebrated its first Nürburgring 24 Hours win since 2016, a significant milestone for the manufacturer in GT3 competition.

The details:

• The #80 Winward Racing Mercedes, driven by Engel, Stolz, Schiller, and Martin, took the chequered flag over a minute ahead of the field.
• The #84 Lamborghini (Red Bull Team ABT) finished second, surviving an 86-second time penalty to hold off the #34 Aston Martin in third.
• Glock's penalty: Former F1 driver Timo Glock was disqualified and lost his license to race at the Nordschleife for ignoring a slow zone mid-race. His #69 McLaren continued without him.
• Top 10: The top 10 included BMWs, Porsches, and a Ford Mustang, showcasing the competitive SP9 class.
• Verstappen's #3 car was classified as OUT, the only retirement from the front-running pack due to a mechanical issue.

The big picture:

Verstappen's near miss adds to his growing endurance racing portfolio, which includes previous outings at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the virtual Le Mans. While the F1 star remains focused on his Red Bull duties, his performance at the Nordschleife reaffirms his ability to adapt to any machinery. For Mercedes, the win provides a morale boost as it prepares for the 2026 F1 power unit regulations, while the sister car's failure will prompt a thorough review of its reliability.