Team Verstappen Narrowly Misses Pole in Nürburgring 24 Hours Qualifying

Team Verstappen narrowly missed out on pole position for the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours, settling for fourth place after a dramatic Top Qualifying session. Dani Juncadella, driving the #3 Mercedes GT3, produced a strong final lap but fell eight-tenths of a second short of the pole-winning Lamborghini.

Why it matters:

The result underscores the fierce competitiveness of the Nürburgring endurance classic, where factory and customer teams converge. For Max Verstappen, personally involved in the team that bears his name, a top-four finish at one of motorsport's most demanding events is a statement of intent, even if pole slipped away.

The Details:

• Session Breakdown: Lucas Auer and Verstappen himself completed Top Qualifying 1 and 2 respectively, before Juncadella took over for the final shootout.
• Juncadella's Run: His first lap was a 8m 18s, nearly seven seconds off the pace, placing him ninth. But he found massive time on his second lap to jump to fourth.
• Top Contenders: The #84 Lamborghini took pole, followed by the #7 Lamborghini and the #16 Audi. Team Verstappen's #3 Mercedes was just 0.8s adrift.

What's Next:

With qualifying complete, all attention shifts to the 24-hour race itself. The team's pace in traffic and reliability over the full distance will determine if they can convert a promising grid position into a podium or victory. Given Verstappen's racing pedigree, a strong result feels achievable.