Max Verstappen Storms to Nordschleife Pole

Max Verstappen has secured a commanding pole position for a four-hour endurance race at the Nordschleife, setting a lap time two seconds faster than the nearest competitor. The Red Bull F1 champion is using the event as preparation for the prestigious 24 Hours of Nürburgring in May, sharing his #130 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with teammates Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella under the 'Verstappen Racing' banner.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's dominant performance on one of the world's most demanding circuits underscores his exceptional skill beyond Formula 1. It provides a significant morale boost and valuable track time ahead of his main goal: conquering the grueling 24-hour race. A strong showing here builds momentum and demonstrates the competitiveness of his privateer team project.

The details:

• Teammate Dani Juncadella set the initial benchmark for Verstappen Racing with a time of 8:01.3 during the opening phase of qualifying.
• The session was disrupted by a Code 60 (a local yellow flag period mandating a 60 km/h speed limit) after the #40 Porsche crashed into the wall.
• Verstappen took over the wheel during this caution period, completing several installation laps but not initially improving the time.
• As the track cleared, lap times plummeted, with the #16 Audi setting a 7:53. Verstappen's final run in the closing stages was decisive.
• The Pole Lap: Verstappen delivered an impressive 7:51.0, a time that stood unchallenged as another Code 60 ended the session, securing pole by a two-second margin.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to the four-hour race itself, where consistency, strategy, and traffic management on the long, treacherous Nordschleife will be critical. A strong race finish will be the ideal confidence builder for Verstappen and his team as they continue their preparation for the ultimate challenge of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring this spring.