Max Verstappen Set to Take the Finish at Nürburgring 24 Hours

Max Verstappen is expected to take the finish of the Nürburgring 24 Hours behind the wheel of the #3 Team Verstappen Mercedes. The crew leads by more than 45 seconds with less than four hours left on the clock at the Nordschleife, putting the Red Bull F1 driver in prime position for a landmark endurance win.

Why it matters:

This marks Verstappen's first attempt at the classic 24-hour race, and his presence has drawn record crowds to the circuit. A victory would add a notable GT3 achievement to his résumé, highlighting his versatility beyond Formula 1 and further cementing his status as one of the most complete drivers in motorsport.

The details:

• Verstappen completed his latest stint around 11:00 local time, handing the Mercedes-AMG GT3 over to teammate Daniel Juncadella.
• According to Dutch reporter Erik van Haren, the plan is for Verstappen to return for the final double stint and take the chequered flag.
• Verstappen said of his stint: “I tried to play it safe and maintain a decent pace. The car was working well. I just tried to avoid trouble – two cars collided right in front of me on the last lap.”
• The #3 crew holds a comfortable lead, but with several hours remaining, focus remains on reliability and incident avoidance.

What's next:

If the plan holds, Verstappen will climb back into the cockpit for the decisive stint. The team must stay focused to convert their commanding position into a win, but the signs point to a successful first Nürburgring 24 Hours outing for the four-time F1 champion.