Nürburgring, Germany – Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, secured a victory in a four-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring on Saturday, alongside teammates Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella. The win comes as Verstappen navigates a challenging start to the 2026 Formula 1 season and prepares for his debut at the iconic Nürburgring 24 Hours in May.
Competing in the GT3 category at the wheel of a Red Bull-liveried Mercedes AMG, Verstappen, who started from pole position, contributed to the team’s success. This victory marks another achievement for the Dutch driver at the legendary German circuit, building on his previous win in a GT3 event last September. The race was the second round of the NLS championship, all of which are contested on the Nordschleife, the notoriously demanding 24.358-kilometer northern loop of the Nürburgring.
A Difficult Start to the F1 Season
The endurance race win provides a welcome boost for Verstappen, who has faced difficulties in the early stages of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Just six days prior, he retired from the Grand Prix of China, and he’s preparing for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka next week. The new regulations implemented this season have significantly altered the cars, with engines now utilizing a 50% thermal and 50% electric configuration.
Verstappen started the Australian Grand Prix 20th on the grid after a qualifying accident but fought his way back to finish sixth. However, in Shanghai, he finished ninth in the sprint race and experienced a mechanical failure during the main Grand Prix. He has been openly critical of the new F1 regulations, comparing the current generation of cars to “Formula E on steroids.”
“If someone likes that, then they really don’t understand what motor sport is,” Verstappen stated after the Chinese Grand Prix. He further expressed his frustration, saying that driving his new Red Bull feels akin to playing the video game Mario Kart.
Preparation for the Nürburgring 24 Hours
Verstappen’s participation in the Nürburgring endurance races is part of his preparation for the prestigious 24-hour race in May. Verstappen Racing has entered the event, and he will partner with Juncadella, Gounon, and Lucas Auer. The team’s preparation included this recent four-hour race, providing valuable experience on the challenging Nordschleife.
The Nürburgring, nicknamed “The Green Hell,” has a storied history, opening in 1927 and becoming a legendary track. It was removed from the Formula 1 schedule in 1976 due to safety concerns, but continues to host major endurance races.
Disqualification After Second GT3 Victory
Interestingly, this recent success follows a disqualification just days earlier. Verstappen’s team was disqualified after winning another GT3 race at the Nürburgring, the ADAC Barbarossapreis, on March 21st. The team was found to have used seven sets of tires instead of the permitted six, handing the victory to Dan Harper and Jordan Pepper in a BMW M4 GT3 from Rowe Racing. [1, 2]
Despite the disqualification, the experience continues to be valuable for Verstappen as he prepares for the 24-hour race. The Red Bull livery for the Mercedes AMG-GT3 car was unveiled in a dramatic fashion, with aerial athlete Max Manow performing a 131-meter BASE jump into a cooling tower. This unveiling signaled Red Bull’s long-term vision to compete at top-level endurance events. [4]
Verstappen previously impressed on his GT3 debut in September 2025, winning his first GT3 event in the Nürburgring Endurance Series. He qualified third and quickly took the lead, building a substantial advantage over the competition. [4]
The Nürburgring 24 Hours, scheduled for May 16th and 17th, represents a significant challenge for any driver. The demanding track and the length of the race require exceptional skill, endurance, and teamwork. Verstappen’s commitment to the event demonstrates his passion for racing and his willingness to push his limits beyond the confines of Formula 1.
As Verstappen continues to adapt to the new regulations in Formula 1, his participation in endurance racing provides a valuable outlet and an opportunity to hone his skills in a different environment. The upcoming Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka will be a crucial test for the Red Bull team as they seek to improve their performance and challenge for the championship.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Verstappen is the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on April 20th. Fans can follow updates on the official Formula 1 website and Red Bull Racing’s social media channels.
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