Team Verstappen Racing makes strong start at the Nordschleife as mixed conditions shake up early order
The opening qualifying session for the 2026 24 Hours of Nürburgring delivered exactly the kind of drama expected around the legendary Nordschleife, with Max Verstappen’s Team Verstappen Racing entry securing an impressive top-three result in difficult mixed conditions.
After an intense opening hour around the unforgiving German circuit, the #80 Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL machine emerged fastest overall thanks to Fabio Schiller’s rapid 8:14.957 lap, putting the Mercedes outfit firmly at the front heading into the second qualifying session later today.
For Verstappen’s squad, however, the session marked another encouraging step in the reigning Formula 1 champion’s growing GT racing programme.
Driving the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 alongside Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer, Verstappen initially helped push the car to the top of the timing screens early in the session before handing over duties to his team-mates as conditions evolved around the Nordschleife.
As rain began to hit sections of the circuit late in the session, teams faced increasingly difficult grip levels across the 25km layout, adding another layer of unpredictability to an already chaotic qualifying run.
Despite slipping from the top spot in the closing stages, Team Verstappen Racing still ended the session in a highly competitive third place with an 8:18.539 lap — less than four seconds away from the outright benchmark.
The #1 ROWE Racing BMW M4 GT3 split the two Mercedes entries in second place after Augusto Farfus, Raffaele Marciello, Sheldon van der Linde and Jordan Pepper combined for an 8:18.069 effort.
BMW showed particularly strong pace throughout the session, with the second ROWE Racing car finishing fourth overall, narrowly behind Verstappen’s entry by just 0.063s.
Elsewhere, Manthey Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 rounded out the top five, while Lamborghini outfit Red Bull Team ABT completed the top six after a solid opening run.
The Nürburgring’s notorious weather volatility once again proved decisive, with several manufacturers struggling to maximise tyre performance as damp patches emerged around various sectors of the circuit.
For Verstappen, whose endurance racing ambitions have become increasingly visible alongside his Formula 1 commitments, the result reinforces expectations that Team Verstappen Racing could emerge as a genuine contender for overall honours this weekend.
The Dutch superstar has repeatedly spoken about his passion for GT and endurance racing, and his presence at the Nürburgring has generated huge interest among motorsport fans eager to see how the F1 world champion performs in one of motorsport’s most demanding events.
Qualifying action resumes later today with Q2, where teams will continue fighting for crucial grid position ahead of the iconic twice-around-the-clock endurance classic.
Top 10 – Nürburgring 24 Hours Qualifying 1
- 80 Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL – 8:14.957
- 1 ROWE Racing BMW – 8:18.069
- 3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing – 8:18.539
- 99 ROWE Racing BMW – 8:18.602
- 911 Manthey Racing Porsche – 8:21.717
- 130 Red Bull Team ABT Lamborghini – 8:21.998
- 77 Schubert Motorsport BMW – 8:26.625
- 64 HRT Ford Racing Mustang GT3 – 8:26.751
- 16 Scherer Sport PHX Audi – 8:27.080
- 17 Dunlop Motorsport Porsche – 8:27.176