– Max Verstappen will, as expected, compete in the 2026 24h Qualifiers on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. In the two four-hour races, one on Saturday evening and one on Sunday, the four-time Formula 1 world champion will compete alongside Lucas Auer.
Read more Bearman crash: Andrea Stella was right — but what is the solution?
Verstappen will have a wish fulfilled that he had explicitly expressed: he will be able to drive the Nürburgring-Nordschleife at least in partial darkness. Since sunset is already at 20:30, but the first of the two races lasts until 21:30, he would be able to drive for an hour in the dark if he takes over the second half of the 4-hour race.
A wish he had expressed after his disqualified victory together with Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon at the 58th ADAC Barbarossapreis has already been fulfilled: driving the Nordschleife in the rain.
Because just two days after the Japanese Grand Prix in Formula 1, Verstappen was already active in the Eifel again. The Dutchman headed to the Eifel within 48 hours of the race to collect valuable test kilometers in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 on Tuesday, March 31.
Various photos and videos quickly made the rounds on social media. In particular, a stop at the Döttinger Höhe gas station, one of the most famous meeting points for fans around the “Green Hell,” caused a stir. Verstappen commented laconically: “Quickly onto the Nordschleife. Really enjoyed it out there.”
Read more AMG crash and Lamborghini concerns: How the first test with DTM special tires went
As part of the 24h Qualifiers, two 4-hour races are now on the program, one on Saturday evening and one on Sunday afternoon. Both runs also count towards the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS).
Verstappen will drive together with Auer for the first time, who was not present at NLS2. Thus, he will have competed in at least one race together with each of his three teammates for the 24-hour race. Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella are not available because they are starting at the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Imola on the same weekend.
Schedule 24h Qualifiers 2026
Friday, April 17, 2026
12:15 – 14:45 Test and setup sessions
Saturday, April 18, 2026
08:30 – 10:00 Qualifying Race 1
17:30 – 21:30 Race 1 (240 min.)
Sunday, April 19, 2026
08:15 – 09:45 Qualifying Race 2
10:40 – 11:40 Top Qualifying
13:00 – 17:00 Race 2 (240 min.)
