Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has received a boost after the final results of the 2026 24 Hours Nürburgring were revised following a post-race disqualification.
Although Verstappen has been competing for Red Bull Racing during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, the Dutchman also took part in last month’s famous endurance race at the Nürburgring. The official classification was only confirmed 26 days after the event concluded, with a late ruling reshaping the final order.
The major change came after Red Bull Team ABT’s No. 84 Lamborghini, driven by Mirko Bortolotti, Luca Engstler and Patric Niederhauser, was disqualified from the results. The car had originally finished second, but its removal promoted every team behind it by one position.
The Nürburgring 24 Hours once again proved to be a brutal test of endurance, with numerous leading contenders in the GT3-based SP9 category suffering mechanical issues, accidents, and other setbacks throughout the race.
Early on, the Mercedes-AMG entries from Winward Racing appeared to be in control, building a comfortable lead over the field. However, changing weather conditions and strategic decisions played a crucial role in determining the final outcome, with one of their closest challengers losing valuable time after switching to rain tyres.
Victory ultimately went to the No. 80 Ravenol Mercedes-AMG, driven by Maro Engel, Maxime Martin, Fabian Schiller and Luca Stolz, who successfully navigated the demanding 24-hour contest to secure the win.
Meanwhile, the Walkenhorst Aston Martin crew of Mattia Drudi, Christian Krognes and Nicki Thiim gained a position in the final standings after the Lamborghini’s exclusion.
Verstappen’s own hopes of a strong result were ended by misfortune. The No. 3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG, shared with Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella, was forced out of contention when a broken driveshaft struck with just three hours remaining in the race.
While the late result change cannot undo the disappointment of that setback, Verstappen’s team nevertheless moves up one place in the final classification following the disqualification, bringing a positive ending to an event that remained unresolved for nearly a month after the chequered flag.