Verstappen plans Nürburgring return after reliability costs him chance at win

Max Verstappen says he intends to return to the Nürburgring 24 Hours after a late reliability issue cost him a shot at victory in the iconic German endurance race. Driving for Mercedes-AMG, Verstappen and his teammates led until a driveshaft failure with 3 hours 20 minutes left forced them out of contention. The team managed to fix the car just in time for one final lap, but the win was gone.

Why it matters:

The Nürburgring 24 Hours is one of the world's toughest endurance races, and Verstappen's participation highlights how F1's top drivers are increasingly seeking challenges outside their primary series. His performance—including daring overtakes and a thrilling night battle with the sister car—proved he can compete at the highest level in GT3 machinery. A win would have added to his growing legacy as a versatile racer.

The details:

• Verstappen shared the #130 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Jules Gounon, Dani Juncadella, and Lucas Auer in the top SP9 class.
• The team took the lead on Saturday afternoon and fought hard through the night, with Verstappen praised by fellow GT3 drivers for his skill in navigating traffic.
• A heavy vibration from a driveshaft problem halted the car with just over three hours remaining. The repair took nearly the rest of the race, allowing only a symbolic final lap.
• The sister #80 Mercedes went on to win, leaving Verstappen's crew with a bitter what-if.

What's next:

Verstappen confirmed he will "for sure try" to return next year, though his F1 schedule will be a factor. The Dutchman called the track "super challenging" and said he enjoys endurance racing's team dynamic. His ambition to tackle Le Mans in the future remains on the table, making the Nürburgring a key step in his expansion beyond Formula 1.