Max Verstappen to race at Nürburgring 24H qualifiers during F1's April break

Max Verstappen will fill the unexpected gap in his 2024 Formula 1 calendar by competing in the qualifying races for the Nürburgring 24 Hours in April. The three-time world champion confirmed his participation following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, which left a month-long break after the Japanese GP until the Miami race in early May.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's decision underscores his relentless drive to compete and his commitment to his GT racing program, even during what was meant to be an F1 break. It provides a rare opportunity for fans to see the reigning champion in a different motorsport discipline and highlights how top F1 drivers manage their time and passion for racing beyond the grand prix calendar.

The details:

• Verstappen will take part in the two four-hour qualifying races for the Nürburgring 24 Hours on April 18 and 19, the weekend originally scheduled for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
• He will not compete in the earlier NLS3 event on April 11-14 because his GT3 team, which races a Mercedes-AMG, will be competing at Paul Ricard in France that same weekend.
• The Dutchman stepped in for the qualifying races after learning his regular teammates, Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon, would be unavailable. Juncadella and Gounon are committed to racing at the 6 Hours of Imola for Genesis and Alpine, respectively.
• Verstappen recently won an NLS2 race at the Nordschleife with Juncadella and Gounon, but the team was later disqualified for using an extra set of tyres.

What's next:

Verstappen's primary focus remains on securing his fourth F1 world championship, but his foray into endurance racing qualifiers keeps him race-sharp during the extended break. His participation adds significant star power to the Nürburgring 24 Hours event and sets the stage for his potential role in the main race later in the year, demonstrating the expanding scope of a modern F1 champion's career.