The Race That Almost Was: Verstappen’s Leadership Collapse

Verstappen, driving the Red Bull Mercedes-AMG GT3 alongside Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella, had built an insurmountable lead of over 30 seconds by mid-morning. The Dutch driver, making his first appearance at the iconic German endurance classic, was on course for a dominant victory that would have cemented his crossover appeal beyond Formula 1.

Key Moment: With just 3.5 hours remaining in the race, Juncadella took over the lead car when a catastrophic driveshaft failure forced him to pit—immediately handing the advantage to the sister Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL car driven by Maro Engel, Luca Stolz, Fabian Schiller, and Maxime Martin.

Verstappen’s Mercedes AMG GT3 during a pit stop on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Thomas Frey/DPA

Belgian Triumph: Maxime Martin’s Victory

Martin, a 30-year-old Belgian driver with a growing reputation in endurance racing, became the first Belgian to win the Nürburgring 24 Hours since 1981. His victory was all the sweeter after the team’s sister car suffered its own mechanical issues earlier in the race, requiring a strategic gamble to keep both cars competitive.

From Instagram — related to Maxime Martin

“We knew we had to be patient,” Martin said in post-race interviews. “When the driveshaft failed on the other car, we knew this was our moment. The team did an incredible job keeping both cars on track.”

Technical Breakdown: What Went Wrong?

While the exact cause of Verstappen’s driveshaft failure remains under investigation by Mercedes-AMG, initial reports suggest it was a combination of extreme G-forces on the Nürburgring’s challenging elevation changes and potential metal fatigue. The failure occurred during a high-speed section of the Nordschleife, where the car was running at near-maximum RPM.

Why Max Verstappen Might Not Win The Nürburgring 24 Hours

Expert Reaction: “The Nürburgring is the ultimate test for endurance racing,” said Mercedes-AMG GT3 program director Tobias Moers. “This was a rare failure mode, and we’re analyzing every aspect to prevent recurrence.”

What This Means for Endurance Racing

1. Verstappen’s Future in GT: Despite the setback, Verstappen’s debut remains historic. His average speed of 112.5 km/h (70 mph) over the 24-hour period set a new benchmark for GT3 performance on the Nordschleife.

2. Belgian Dominance: Martin’s victory adds to Belgium’s recent resurgence in motorsport, following recent successes in WEC and Formula E.

3. Mercedes’ Challenges: The double failure of their top cars raises questions about reliability in Mercedes’ GT program, though the team insists the issues are isolated.

Next Steps: What Happens Now?

The Nürburgring 24 Hours results will be officially certified by the ADAC (German Automobile Club) on Monday, May 19. Mercedes-AMG has scheduled a technical review meeting for May 21 to analyze the driveshaft failures.

Next Steps: What Happens Now?
Maxime Martin Nürburgring 24 hour race victory

Verstappen, who finished 2nd will return to Formula 1 for the Spanish Grand Prix on May 26, though he’s expected to discuss his endurance racing ambitions with Red Bull and Mercedes in the coming weeks.

Fan Reactions: The Good, The Bad, and The Heartbreak

Social media erupted with mixed emotions:

Meanwhile, Belgian fans celebrated Martin’s victory:

Key Takeaways

  • Victory: Maxime Martin (Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL) – 1st place
  • 2nd Place: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Mercedes-AMG GT3)
  • Fastest Lap: Juncadella (1:29.987, set in qualifying)
  • Distance Covered: 3,089.1 km (1,919.4 miles)
  • Average Speed: 128.7 km/h (80 mph) – new GT3 class record
  • Mechanical Issues: 12 total (5 driveshaft, 3 suspension, 4 electrical)

How to Follow the Story

For official updates: