Max Verstappen is back in action at the legendary Nürburgring this weekend, taking part in qualifying for the NLS4 round as part of the ADAC 24-hour Qualifiers. The four-time Formula 1 world champion is using the opportunity to gain more experience in endurance racing, returning to one of motorsport’s most demanding circuits.
Verstappen’s participation comes after a change in the Formula 1 calendar, with the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix freeing up his schedule. This has allowed him to compete in both NLS4 and NLS5 events across the weekend, as well as prepare for the prestigious 24-hour race at the Nürburgring scheduled for May.
For NLS4, Verstappen shares driving duties with Lucas Auer, as the pair aim to secure a strong grid position during qualifying. The session, held on Saturday morning at 08:30 local time (07:30 BST), determines the starting order for the race later that same day. Their performance in qualifying will be crucial in setting up their chances for a competitive result in the race, which takes place over several hours on the challenging Nordschleife layout.
This weekend marks another important step in Verstappen’s growing involvement in GT and endurance racing. Despite his dominance in Formula 1, he has shown increasing interest in expanding his racing portfolio, particularly at iconic venues like the Nürburgring. The circuit is known for its technical difficulty, unpredictable weather, and long lap distance, making it a true test of driver skill and consistency.
Looking back at his previous outing at the Nürburgring, Verstappen enjoyed a strong performance with his Mercedes-AMG GT3 team. The team initially secured pole position and went on to win the NLS2 race on the road, demonstrating impressive pace and control throughout the event. However, that victory was later overturned due to a technical infringement, as the car was found to have exceeded the permitted tyre allocation. While the disqualification was a setback, it did little to diminish the performance level shown during the race.
As for the current NLS4 qualifying session, the final classification is still being determined, with official results expected once all laps have been completed and verified. A provisional leaderboard has been prepared, but all positions—from pole to 20th—remain to be confirmed as teams complete their runs and stewards finalize the standings.
Following qualifying, attention will quickly turn to the race itself. The schedule for Saturday sees the formation lap begin at 17:10 local time (16:10 GMT), with the race officially starting at 17:30. The event is set to run into the evening, concluding at 21:30 local time. These endurance-style races require not only speed but also strategy, teamwork, and reliability, all of which will play a role in determining the outcome.
For Verstappen, this weekend is about more than just results. It represents another opportunity to refine his skills in a different racing discipline while staying sharp during a break in the Formula 1 season. Fans will be watching closely to see how he performs as he continues to balance his commitments between Formula 1 and endurance racing, further cementing his reputation as one of the most versatile drivers in modern motorsport.