Verstappen cites front splitter break for Nürburgring qualifier loss

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and co‑driver Lucas Auer lost a likely win at the Nürburgring 24‑Hour Qualifier when the GT3 car’s front splitter broke, forcing a 28‑minute pit stop that dropped them from first to 87th. Verstappen said the car felt good otherwise and he’s still focused on the 24‑Hour race.

Why it matters:

• Reliability risk for a high‑profile F1 champion in GT3.
• The damage shows component durability is crucial for endurance qualifying.
• The failure may impact Red Bull’s reputation in GT3 and endurance events.

The details:

• Verstappen seized the lead early, building a gap before his second stint.
• On lap two of his second stint the front splitter detached with no contact.
• The team spent 28 minutes repairing the car, dropping it to 87th.
• Auer re‑joined, fought back to 39th overall, while Verstappen praised the car’s handling.
• The incident followed a pre‑race tribute to the late Juha Miettinen, who died in a separate crash at the circuit.

What's next:

• Red Bull will investigate the splitter failure before the Nürburgring 24 Hours on May 16‑17.
• Verstappen aims to fine‑tune his GT3 setup and gain night‑driving experience before the endurance race.
• A final shakedown will verify the repairs before the 24‑Hour race.