Max Verstappen Returns to the Nordschleife for NLS Race

Max Verstappen will trade his Red Bull F1 car for a Mercedes-AMG GT3 this weekend, competing in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) as he seeks a competitive spark away from a challenging start to his Formula 1 title defense. The reigning world champion will team with seasoned GT experts for the four-hour ADAC Barbarossapreis race on the daunting Nordschleife circuit.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's participation highlights a growing trend of top F1 drivers using prestigious GT and endurance events as both a mental reset and a pure driving challenge outside the rigid confines of the grand prix calendar. For fans, it offers a rare chance to see the sport's biggest star in a different, more accessible racing environment, showcasing his adaptable skill behind the wheel of a car with different demands.

The details:

• The Car & Team: Verstappen will drive the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo run by his own Verstappen Racing team, sporting its distinctive blue, white, and red livery.
• Elite Teammates: He will share the cockpit with two highly accomplished endurance specialists:
  • Daniel Juncadella: A former F3 Euro Series champion with extensive experience in DTM, IMSA, and the FIA WEC, where he took a class win in 2025.
  • Jules Gounon: A top-tier GT ace with major wins at the 24 Hours of Spa and Daytona, multiple GT World Challenge Europe titles, and recent Hypercar experience with Alpine.
• Event Format: The NLS event is compact, with all track action on Saturday. Qualifying begins at 08:30 local time, followed by the four-hour race at 12:00 on the full Nordschleife layout.
• Past Success: Verstappen is no stranger to success here, having won his first GT3 race on the Nordschleife in October of last year with co-driver Chris Lulham.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the Nürburgring to see if Verstappen can translate his immense talent to another victory on one of the world's most difficult tracks. His performance will be a key talking point as the F1 world heads to Miami, offering a compelling sidebar to the main championship narrative. A strong result could further fuel his confidence as he looks to turn around his F1 campaign.