In a thrilling twist for motorsport enthusiasts, the hopes of Max Verstappen competing in the esteemed Nurburgring 24 Hours now hinge entirely on a rescheduling of the NLS race date. Mercedes is taking significant steps to facilitate his entry into this iconic endurance event.
With Winward's recent announcement that they will participate in the 24-hour challenge at the Nordschleife as part of the Mercedes-AMG Performance Team, we are getting closer to understanding how Verstappen’s appearance will unfold. Initially, only a sister car was introduced, but now the Verstappen project stands on the brink of realization.
According to insights from Motorsport-Total.com, a sibling publication of Motorsport.com, it has been confirmed that Verstappen has not only secured approval from Mercedes and the Red Bull Formula 1 team but also from the overarching Red Bull organization. Nonetheless, the crucial remaining piece is whether he can take part in any preparatory races, which is a prerequisite for the four-time world champion’s participation.
Rumors suggest that Mercedes is advocating for a change at the highest levels of management. Reports indicate that Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius and motorsport director Toto Wolff have been actively lobbying to postpone the NLS season opener scheduled for March 14, which currently conflicts with the Chinese Grand Prix.
As for the NLS's response, NLS chief Mike Jager commented on the status of the postponement request: "A request has indeed been made to possibly delay the NLS1 race date, but that's the extent of it at this stage." This complexity arises because various stakeholders and racing series have locked in their dates. If the NLS1 race does get postponed, it would likely shift to March 21, allowing it to occur during the weekend that sits between the F1 races in China and Japan, assuming weather conditions in the Eifel region cooperate.
"We are currently evaluating this situation, but no definitive decisions have been made yet," Jager stated. "It’s essential that the new date works for everyone involved."
Now, turning our attention to Verstappen’s ambitions for the Nurburgring 24 Hours, what can we expect from his Mercedes-AMG team? It seems that Verstappen is keen on assembling his preferred lineup himself. Reports indicate that he wishes to include Lucas Auer, who finished as the runner-up in the DTM standings in 2025, marking him as the strongest AMG driver that year. The two share a mutual history, having competed against each other in the Formula 3 European Championship back in 2014, where Verstappen finished third and Auer followed closely in fourth.
Another strong contender for Verstappen’s team could be sim racer Chris Lulham, who celebrated victory with him in the NLS while driving the Emil Frey Ferrari. Additionally, Mercedes factory driver Jules Gounon, who provided key insight to Verstappen during his AMG tests in Estoril, along with seasoned veteran Daniel Juncadella, may also play significant roles in the plans.
However, it seems that Maro Engel might not be part of Verstappen's strategy. Despite being one of the fastest on the Nordschleife, Engel and Verstappen had a public disagreement on social media following Verstappen's initial test at the Nurburgring, where Engel suggested that the impressive lap times were influenced by a favorable performance balance in the DTM.
Engel is expected to co-drive a Winward Mercedes adorned with Ravenol branding, a design that even his father contributed to creating. In contrast, if all goes as planned, Verstappen’s vehicle will showcase the colors of Verstappen.com Racing, potentially featuring sponsorship from Haribo as well.
While the final confirmation for Verstappen’s project remains pending, he is taking proactive steps to prepare. Recently, he logged additional practice time in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 used by 2 Seas at Portimao, ensuring he becomes familiar with the car's dynamics.
Interestingly, even an invitation to Ford's F1 launch in Detroit didn’t deter him from this crucial preparation. His commitment could pay off as he experienced both rainy and dry conditions in Portugal that closely resemble the unpredictable weather often encountered in the Eifel region.
What are your thoughts on Verstappen's ambitions in the Nurburgring 24 Hours? Do you agree with his choice of team members? Let us know in the comments!
