Verstappen's Mercedes GT3 Debut Faces Scheduling Hurdles with 2026 NLS Calendar
Max Verstappen's plan to race in more NLS events before his 2026 24 Hours of Nürburgring debut faces a major obstacle, as the first five NLS rounds clash with the F1 calendar. Series organizers acknowledge the issue but have no immediate solution, potentially forcing the champion to compromise his preparation.
Max Verstappen's desire to gain more experience in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) ahead of his planned 24 Hours of Nürburgring debut in 2026 is currently at odds with the Formula 1 calendar, creating a potential clash for the four-time world champion. Verstappen, who recently won his first NLS race, stated he needs more seat time in the series, but the first five NLS rounds of 2026 all coincide with F1 Grand Prix weekends, starting with the Chinese GP.
Why it matters:
Verstappen's expanding endurance racing ambitions highlight the growing scheduling pressures faced by top F1 drivers pursuing outside interests. A clash between premier GT3 series and the F1 calendar could force drivers to choose between commitments or rely on last-minute calendar changes, impacting their preparation for major events like the 24-hour race.
The details:
- Verstappen explicitly stated after his NLS victory that he hopes to enter "a few more NLS races next year" to build experience for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in May 2026.
- The published 2026 NLS calendar shows its first five rounds, all crucial pre-24h race events, directly conflict with F1 race weekends, including the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
- NLS boss Mike Jäger acknowledged the schedule is "not ideal," with half the season's races crammed before the 24-hour event, but cited current circumstances leaving no alternative. He noted any change would require further examination and nothing is concrete.
- In parallel, Verstappen.com Racing has begun its transition, testing two Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars in Portugal with factory driver Jules Gounon, confirming the team's switch from Ferrari to Mercedes machinery for the 2026 season.
What's next:
The focus now shifts to whether the NLS organization can find a workable solution to adjust its 2026 calendar. For Verstappen, if the schedule remains unchanged, he may have to forgo valuable NLS track time or seek exceptional arrangements, putting his ideal preparation for one of the world's toughest endurance races at risk.