Max Verstappen to race Mercedes at Nordschleife in NLS2

Three-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen will compete in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) this weekend, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 as part of his preparation for the iconic Nürburgring 24-hour race in May. He joins the Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing entry for the four-hour NLS2 event, sharing the car with Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon while regular driver Lucas Auer sits out.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's participation highlights the crossover appeal of endurance racing for top-tier F1 drivers and serves as crucial real-world testing for the grueling Nürburgring 24h. His involvement brings significant global attention to the NLS series and demonstrates his commitment to refining his skills outside the Formula 1 calendar, a practice that has historically benefited drivers like his father, Jos Verstappen, and other F1 stars.

The details:

• Team and Car: Verstappen will race under the Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing banner in a Mercedes-AMG GT3.
• Co-Drivers: He will share driving duties with experienced GT racers Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon for this event.
• Event Context: NLS2 is the second round of the 10-race NLS season, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
• Primary Goal: The outing is a key part of Verstappen's preparation for the main target: the Nürburgring 24-hour race on May 14-17, where he, Juncadella, Gounon, and Auer are confirmed as the full driver lineup.
• Verstappen's Statement: Ahead of the race, Verstappen noted, "Friday is for testing, also for me to get up to speed with the car there. Then it’s about gaining race experience and trying to put the car in the best possible window for the 24-hour race."
• Race Schedule: The four-hour NLS2 race begins Saturday at 10:30 PM AEDT (1:30 PM local time in Germany), following qualifying earlier in the day.
• Field Size: A massive grid of 136 cars is entered for the event.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Verstappen's performance and adaptation to the challenging Nordschleife in a GT3 car. Success this weekend would build momentum and valuable data for his squad's assault on the Nürburgring 24h in May, one of the world's most demanding endurance races. This continued participation in other racing disciplines keeps Verstappen race-sharp during the F1 season and fuels his reputation as a complete, versatile competitor.