Verstappen Makes Mercedes GT3 Debut at the Nürburgring Nordschleife

Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen is set for his competitive debut in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 this Saturday, competing in a four-hour NLS endurance race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The event serves as crucial preparation for his planned entry in May's Nürburgring 24 Hours, but his team's preparations were severely hampered by technical issues during Friday's practice session.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's participation highlights the crossover appeal of the legendary Nordschleife, attracting top-tier F1 talent to one of the world's most demanding circuits. For the Dutchman, this weekend is his only opportunity to race with teammates Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella before the main 24-hour event, making a smooth and productive run vital for building team chemistry and car understanding.

The details:

• Verstappen is driving under the 'Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing' banner, sharing the #3 car with factory drivers Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon.
• Friday's practice was disrupted by significant technical setbacks, with suspected suspension problems on the primary car.
• After consultations with engineers, the team was forced to switch to a plain, backup chassis mid-session, drastically limiting valuable track time.
• The switch left the driver trio with minimal data, as Juncadella completed only three laps before a red flag ended the session early.
• The team's mechanics and engineers now face a race against time overnight to finalize the car's setup and pass scrutineering ahead of Saturday's qualifying.

What's next:

All eyes will be on whether the team can overcome its rocky start. The four-hour NLS race is the final major test before the Nürburgring 24 Hours in May.

• Qualifying begins at 8:30 CET on Saturday, followed by the race start at 12:00 CET.
• Verstappen will be part of a massive 136-car field tackling the 25-kilometer Nordschleife circuit.
• Fans can watch the action via the official NLS live stream on YouTube.