Max Verstappen Overcomes ‘Super Difficult’ Qua…. see details in the comment
Max Verstappen has described Friday morning’s qualifying session for the Nürburgring 24 Hours as “super difficult” after battling through one of motorsport’s most demanding circuits to secure a place in the final pole shootout.
The Dutch star, who is best known for his achievements in Formula One, faced a stern challenge on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. Despite the tough conditions and fierce competition, Verstappen and his Verstappen Racing squad successfully advanced to Top Qualifying 3, where the fastest 12 cars will compete for overall pole position.
Driving the team’s Mercedes-AMG GT3, Verstappen completed the second qualifying session and recorded the sixth-fastest time. Earlier in the day, team-mate Lucas Auer had laid a strong foundation by finishing fifth in TQ1. Those combined performances were enough to send the team into the decisive final session.
Speaking after his run, Verstappen expressed relief and satisfaction.
“I felt very comfortable in the car,” he said. “Our main objective was to make it into Top Qualifying 3, and that is far from guaranteed at this event because the field is incredibly competitive. It was a very tough session, but we achieved what we set out to do.”
The achievement means that Verstappen’s team-mate Dani Juncadella will represent the team in the final pole shootout. Scheduled for 12:35 p.m. UK time, the session will determine who starts at the front of the grid and who takes home the prestigious Glickenhaus Trophy, awarded to the driver and team that set the fastest qualifying lap.
Verstappen also reflected on a dramatic night session that helped prepare him for the challenge ahead. Thursday evening marked his first experience driving the Nordschleife in darkness, and the weather added another layer of difficulty.
The reigning Formula One champion revealed that rain and fog created some of the most demanding conditions he has ever encountered.
“The circumstances were extremely unpredictable,” Verstappen explained. “It was my first time driving here at night, and with the rain and fog, it was probably the hardest introduction possible.”
Even so, he viewed the experience as valuable preparation for the race itself.
“It gave me a good understanding of what to expect and helped build confidence for the weekend,” he said.
Verstappen praised the efforts of the entire team, highlighting the professionalism and commitment shown throughout the event.
“I believe we have prepared as thoroughly as possible,” he said. “Everyone in the team is working very hard, and based on our pace in previous races, we’re optimistic that we can deliver a strong result.”