Max Verstappen confirms Nurburgring 24 plans

Max Verstappen will contest the legendary Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race in May, driving a #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 run by Winward Racing and backed by Red Bull. The reigning Formula 1 world champion will be joined by a trio of factory Mercedes drivers as part of a program that includes preparatory races on the daunting Nordschleife circuit.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's participation highlights the unique appeal of the Nurburgring 24 to top-tier drivers and underscores his commitment to racing beyond F1. For the event, it brings immense star power and global attention. For Verstappen, it represents a serious challenge on one of motorsport's most dangerous and respected tracks, separate from his primary F1 duties with Red Bull.

The details:

• Elite Line-up: Verstappen's co-drivers are all Mercedes-AMG factory aces: Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer, forming one of the most formidable crews on the grid.
• Strategic Preparation: The team will undertake a full preparation program in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), entering races on March 21 (NLS2) and the official 24h qualifiers on April 18-19.
• Logistical Clash: Verstappen will miss the NLS1 event on March 14 due to a direct schedule conflict with the Chinese Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai.
• Familiar Number: The Mercedes-AMG GT3 will carry the #3, the same number Verstappen uses in Formula 1.
• Key Support: The effort is a collaboration between his Verstappen Racing entity, Winward Racing's operational expertise, and significant support from his long-time partner Red Bull and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to the preparation races, where the team will dial in the car and build synergy. The main event, the 24-hour race on the Nordschleife, is scheduled for May 16-17. Success in these endurance outings could pave the way for more appearances for Verstappen in major GT3 events, further blending the worlds of Formula 1 and top-level sports car racing.