Mercedes pushes to reschedule NLS race to facilitate Verstappen's Nurburgring 24 Hours debut

Max Verstappen's potential debut at the Nürburgring 24 Hours hinges on a schedule adjustment, with Mercedes officially requesting the postponement of the NLS season opener. The move aims to resolve a calendar conflict with the Chinese Grand Prix, which is currently a mandatory requirement for the four-time world champion to obtain his racing license.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's entry would be a massive commercial draw for the endurance classic and a significant marketing victory for Mercedes-AMG. It also highlights the extraordinary flexibility Red Bull grants its star driver, bridging the gap between Formula 1 and top-tier GT racing.

The details:

• The Request: Mercedes-Benz leadership, including Ola Källenius and Toto Wolff, are lobbying to move the NLS1 race from March 14 to March 21. This would slot the event between the Chinese and Japanese Grand Prix weekends.
• Official Status: NLS boss Mike Jäger confirmed the postponement request has been submitted but denied that a decision is finalized. The series must navigate conflicting schedules with other championships.
• The Requirement: Verstappen must compete in an NLS event to qualify for the 24-hour race. Without the date change, his F1 commitments in China would make this impossible.

The big picture:

Verstappen is actively curating his driver lineup for the Winward Mercedes-AMG GT3 entry, favoring familiar faces over established Nordschleife specialists.

• Teammates: The Dutchman is targeting Lucas Auer and sim racer Chris Lulham, with whom he won previously. Mercedes factory drivers Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella are also in the mix.
• The Snub: Veteran Maro Engel is reportedly not on the list following a public dispute with Verstappen over performance balance comments.
• Preparation: Verstappen recently tested the GT3 at Portimão, skipping Ford's F1 launch to gain experience in both wet and dry conditions.

What's next:

The NLS organization is expected to rule on the date change shortly. If approved, Verstappen will finalize his entry and aim for a competitive result at the 'Green Hell' in June.