– Setback for Formula 1 star Max Verstappen before the first race of the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers 2026: The Mercedes-AMG #3 of the Winward team receives a three-position grid penalty after an incident in qualifying involving Verstappen’s teammate Lucas Auer. As a result, Verstappen and Auer will start the first race not from sixth position, but from ninth place.
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Auer collided with the Porsche Cayman #941 of the Adrenalin team in the Hohe Acht section of the track during a failed overtaking attempt. The Austrian wanted to pass on the inside in a right-hand corner, but the Porsche driver stayed on the racing line. Contact occurred – the Cayman spun.
The race stewards reviewed the incident after qualifying and came to a clear verdict: Auer was responsible for the collision. It states:
“The driver of vehicle number 941 stated that he stayed on the racing line and did not notice the approaching faster vehicle number 3. The driver of vehicle number 3 said that he saw the gap but misjudged the situation. He also apologized directly after his stint to number 941.”
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“The race stewards considered that a three-place grid penalty for the next race in which the vehicle participates is an appropriate sanction.”
For Verstappen, this is not the first setback of this kind on the Nordschleife. As recently as March, he won the second race of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) together with Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gunon. However, the victory was short-lived: it was later revoked because the team used one set of tires too many during the race day.
However, this latest setback is unlikely to weigh too heavily on the Dutchman. His start at the 24h Qualifiers – made possible only by the cancellation of the Formula 1 race in Saudi Arabia – is entirely focused on preparation for the 24-hour race from May 14 to 17. At the first run on Saturday evening at 5:30 PM (here in the livestream), Verstappen will also gain important experience: these will be his first laps on the Nordschleife in the dark.
