Following his winning debut at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Max Verstappen has hinted he may return for another endurance race in April. The unexpected gap in the F1 calendar has opened the door for a quick comeback, with the three-time champion praising the event and his thrilling duel with rival Christopher Haase.
Max Verstappen loses a Nürburgring endurance win due to a tyre rule breach, while the Racing Bulls F1 team reveals a special Japanese Grand Prix livery. Other news includes Carlos Sainz adjusting to life at Williams, rising star Kimi Antonelli's title prospects being debated, and the sudden departure of Audi's team boss Jonathan Wheatley.
Max Verstappen's spectacular debut Nürburgring endurance race win, achieved by a nearly one-minute margin, was nullified hours later when his team was disqualified for a tire usage infringement. The penalty handed victory to another team and served as a stark reminder of the strict regulations in top-level motorsport.
AlphaTauri's Liam Lawson says driving F1's new 2026 cars can feel "sketchy," citing dangerous downforce loss in high-speed corners due to active aerodynamics and problematic speed differences on straights, highlighting significant early challenges with the new regulations.
Alpine's Esteban Ocon criticizes the 2026 F1 cars, stating the racing is chaotic and unfair. He highlights how energy management creates unpredictable, back-and-forth overtakes and that major performance differences between manufacturers undermine fair competition.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur believes F1's new ADUO engine upgrade system could be key to catching Mercedes, whom he says hold a significant straight-line speed advantage. While acknowledging the need for holistic improvement, Vasseur sees the regulated performance equalization as a major opportunity for Ferrari to close the power unit gap.
Carlos Sainz admits Williams' 2024 car is not competitive enough to escape Q1, forcing him to focus on 'little wins' for motivation. The team is grappling with an overweight machine and a significant performance deficit, making the season a long development challenge despite long-term hopes for the 2026 regulations.
Max Verstappen dominated the NLS2 race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, winning by nearly a minute. He revealed he is considering a return for the next NLS round in three weeks, following calendar changes, using these events as key preparation for his ultimate goal: the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in May.
Max Verstappen dominated the NLS2 race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, winning by 59 seconds with teammates Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon. The F1 champion used the event as key preparation for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, taking pole position and managing a strategic race for a convincing victory in the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Red Bull's Laurent Mekies admits his team faces a daunting task to close a near-one-second per lap deficit to dominant Mercedes, calling the gap "large." Despite the sobering start, he vows the team is not giving up, pinning hopes on a fierce in-season development battle to climb back up the grid.
Max Verstappen dominated a GT race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, taking pole and winning by over a minute. The F1 champion called the experience "super enjoyable," highlighting his team's preparation and the incredible fan passion at the legendary circuit.
Mercedes F1 rookie Kimi Antonelli wants to team up with Red Bull's Max Verstappen for an endurance race, inspired by Verstappen's upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours entry. The 19-year-old, from a strong GT racing family, has already asked Mercedes for a test on the Nordschleife circuit, viewing a partnership with his F1 rival as a "really cool" future prospect.
