The four-time world champion of Fórmula 1 Max Verstappen will fulfill an old dream by competing in the 24 Horas of the Nürburgring in May this year. The 28-year-old Dutch driver, who defends the Red Bull in the highest category of motorsport, will take the wheel of an Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the classic event that takes place between the 14th and 17th of May on the legendary Nordschleife circuit, in the Alemanha. The participation represents the debut of Verstappen in the 24-hour endurance race, known for the extreme difficulty of the 25.378 km route dubbed Green Hell.

Verstappen expressed great satisfaction with the opportunity and highlighted the uniqueness of the German track. Ele will drive under the Verstappen Racing banner, with technical support from Mercedes-AMG Motorsport and the Winward Racing team. The car will receive a special decoration in the colors of the Red Bull, and the Dutchman will share the cockpit with experienced drivers such as Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer.

The test takes place in a free window on the calendar of Fórmula 1, between Grandes Prêmios, Miami and Canadá, facilitating reconciliation between the two activities. Verstappen has demonstrated an affinity for GT and endurance racing on several occasions, including in simulators and private tests over the years.

Details of Verstappen’s participation

The four-time world champion emphasized that the Nürburgring Nordschleife offers a challenge unlike any other track in the world. Ele pointed out the elevation variations, technical curves and unpredictable conditions as elements that make the circuit unique. Verstappen reinforced that the 24-hour race has always been among his personal priorities, and now the project is taking shape with the support of consolidated endurance teams.

The choice of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 reflects a strategic partnership created specifically for this dispute. The model competes in the main GT3 category, facing strong rivals from brands such as Porsche, Ferrari, BMW and Lamborghini. The Winward Racing brings proven experience in long races, with impressive results in international endurance events.

Verstappen completed preparatory steps at the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) to obtain the necessary license from the DMSB. Essas races allowed him to accumulate essential mileage on the track and adapt to the demands of GT3 driving under real competition conditions.

Preparation and prior experience

Verstappen carried out intense testing and competed in the NLS before official confirmation of participation. Ele achieved victory in a GT3 stage at the circuit last year, which directly contributed to the approval of the specific license for the Nordschleife. Essas experiments were fundamental to understanding the car’s behavior and the strategies needed in a long-term race.

The driver maintains a contractual relationship with Red Bull until 2028 at Fórmula 1, but seeks to expand his activities in other motorsport categories. Sua passion for sports cars and endurance formats has already appeared on several occasions outside of F1. The debut at the Nürburgring represents another step on this path of versatility.

• Verstappen obtained a DMSB license after competing in the NLS with GT3 cars.
• He accumulated experience in private testing and preparatory races in the Nordschleife.
• Preparation involved adapting to climate variations and relay strategies.
• The project joins forces between Red Bull and Mercedes-AMG for the event.

Features of the Nürburgring race

The 24 Horas Nürburgring brings together hundreds of vehicles in different categories, with a live start and an uninterrupted duration of a full day. The circuit combines high-speed straights with narrow sections, low-speed curves and climbs that reach more than 300 meters of accumulated difference in level. Teams need to manage tire wear, fuel consumption, driver changes and possible interruptions due to rain or accidents throughout the 24 hours.

The edition maintains the traditional format, with qualifying sessions and the main race concentrated on the 16th and 17th of May. The event attracts official teams from manufacturers and private structures, with an emphasis on mechanical reliability and driver consistency over time. Verstappen enters the GT3 category, which traditionally presents high competitiveness.

The Nordschleife route continues to be considered one of the most demanding in the world, with iconic points such as Karussell, Flugplatz and Pflanzgarten that demand maximum precision. Muitos motorsport professionals see the track as the greatest test of skill in endurance events.

Context in the career of Verstappen

Verstappen has four world titles in Fórmula 1 and continues to perform solidly in the ongoing season. Sua participation in the Nürburgring does not conflict with the category’s main calendar, as it fits perfectly into a break between stages. The driver has already expressed interest in competing in races such as the 24 Horas of Le Mans at some point in the future, but is now focusing on his German debut.

The combination between Fórmula 1 and endurance highlights Verstappen’s ability to perform at a high level in different formats. Ele faces elite rivals in the maximum category and seeks additional challenges in endurance events. The Nürburgring experience should serve as valuable learning for future projects.

Repercussions on motorsport

Confirmation of participation increased interest in the event, as top Fórmula 1 drivers rarely compete in lower-level endurance events. Verstappen joins historic names who have raced in the Nordschleife over the decades. Sua presence increases the appeal of the race, which already has a loyal audience base and international coverage.

The collaboration between Mercedes-AMG and Red Bull for the project demonstrates unity between rival brands in F1 in favor of the Dutch driver. Decorating the car with the colors of the Milton Keynes team reinforces institutional support. The expectation is for a competitive debut without serious incidents.

The race starts at Alemanha local time, on the weekend of May, with broadcast to several countries.