Verstappen Impresses in Nürburgring Qualifying Practice, Ends Third

Max Verstappen made an immediate impression in his debut at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, posting the fastest lap early in qualifying practice before settling for third as rain and yellow flags disrupted the session. The four-time F1 champion showed competitive pace in the Mercedes AMG-GT3, but others edged ahead late.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's entry into endurance racing adds a new dimension to his career and attracts massive attention. His performance on the notoriously challenging Nordschleife demonstrates his versatility and could signal a future in GT racing, further expanding his legacy beyond Formula 1.

The details:

• Verstappen set a lap of 8:18.539s within the first hour, eight seconds faster than the then-leader Jordan Pepper in a BMW M4 GT3.
• He later dropped to third after Fabian Schiller (Team Ravenol) posted 8:14.957s and Raffaele Marciello (Rowe Racing) beat Verstappen's time by half a second.
• The session was marked by yellow flags, code 60 periods, and a crash, limiting running time and preventing improvements in the late rain.
• Verstappen shared the car with Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer, handing over after his stint.

What's next:

The main 24-hour race awaits, with Verstappen and his team aiming for a strong result. Further practice sessions are scheduled before the event, offering more time to refine setup and strategy for the endurance challenge.