Verstappen calls Nürburgring 24 Hours return 'logical' after near-miss debut

Max Verstappen is eager to return to the Nürburgring 24 Hours next year, calling it a "logical" move for the F1 calendar to allow his participation. The four-time champion's debut at the endurance classic ended in heartbreak when a driveshaft failure dropped his squad from contention, leaving him with unfinished business on the Nordschleife.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's interest in the iconic race adds star power to one of the world's toughest endurance events, but it also raises questions about how a packed F1 schedule can coexist with top drivers pursuing outside commitments. The 2027 Nürburgring 24 Hours is confirmed for May 29-30, with no reported conflict with the yet-to-be-published F1 calendar.

The details:

• Verstappen made his 24-hour debut alongside Jules Gounon, Lucas Auer, and Dani Juncadella, running near the front before a driveshaft failure dropped them to 38th.
• He told Viaplay the result left him hungry for another attempt: "This is just the beginning. It would have been nice if we had won that race straight away, because the chance was very big."
• When asked if he has the influence to shape the F1 calendar, Verstappen responded: "Not power, but I think it would be nice and logical if that were possible."
• The 28-year-old acknowledged nothing is certain: "Well, we'll see. I don't know."

What's next:

The Nürburgring has already locked in the 2027 date, and Verstappen's remarks suggest he will push for a second shot. If the F1 schedule aligns, the Dutchman could become the first active top-tier F1 champion to seriously contest the event since the Schumacher era. His eagerness signals a growing trend of F1 stars crossing into endurance racing during breaks.