Max Verstappen delivered a stunning performance at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife by securing pole position during qualifying for the opening round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS2) on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The four-time Formula 1 world champion returned to the demanding German circuit not in his usual Red Bull machinery, but behind the wheel of a Mercedes GT3 car, showcasing his adaptability and skill across racing disciplines.
Driving the No.3 Mercedes-AMG GT3—a nod to his iconic Formula 1 number—Verstappen shared driving duties with experienced GT racers Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon. The trio represented Verstappen Racing, with operational support from Winward Racing, a team well-versed in GT3 competition.
The qualifying session itself was anything but straightforward. Early on, it was Juncadella who set the pace for the team, putting in a provisional benchmark lap of 8:01.310. While competitive, it left the team with room for improvement as other front-running cars began to close in. Verstappen later took over driving duties and completed several installation laps to familiarize himself with the car and track conditions before handing over to Gounon.
However, the session was disrupted by a Code 60 caution period following an incident involving Leo-Livius Arne Weber, whose Porsche Cayman crashed at the final chicane. This neutralization significantly limited opportunities for drivers to improve their lap times during a crucial phase of qualifying, forcing many teams to rethink their strategies.
As the clock wound down, Verstappen returned to the cockpit for a final push. At that stage, the No.3 Mercedes was languishing down in 15th place on the timing sheets, with little indication that it could challenge for pole. But in a dramatic turnaround, Verstappen produced a blistering lap of 7:51.751, catapulting the team to the top of the standings. The lap was not only the fastest of the session but also nearly two seconds quicker than the nearest rival—an extraordinary margin on a circuit as long and complex as the Nordschleife.
Second place went to Christopher Haase, who piloted the No.16 Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II for Scherer Sport PHX. Haase’s best effort left him 1.974 seconds adrift of Verstappen’s benchmark. Completing the top three was Raffaele Marciello in the No.98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO entered by ROWE Racing, with a deficit of 2.855 seconds.
The rest of the top ten featured a diverse mix of manufacturers, underlining the competitive nature of GT3 racing. An Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO secured fourth place, followed by two more Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries in fifth and sixth. BMW continued its strong showing with another M4 GT3 EVO in seventh, while eighth place went to a Ferrari 296 GT3. The top ten was rounded out by a Ford Mustang GT3 in ninth and a Porsche 911 GT3 R in tenth.
Further down the order, a variety of GT3 machinery filled out the top 20 grid, including entries from Lamborghini, Audi, and additional Porsche and BMW teams. The spread of manufacturers and close competition beyond the front row highlights the depth of talent and engineering in the NLS field.
Verstappen’s pole lap was particularly impressive given the challenging nature of the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Often referred to as the “Green Hell,” the circuit stretches over 20 kilometers and features more than 150 corners, making it one of the most technically demanding tracks in the world. Mastery of such a circuit typically requires years of specialized experience, yet Verstappen once again demonstrated his exceptional natural ability by immediately competing at the highest level.
This performance also reinforces Verstappen’s growing reputation as a versatile driver capable of excelling beyond Formula 1. While many F1 drivers have dabbled in endurance racing, few have made such an immediate impact in a competitive field like the NLS.
Looking ahead, Verstappen is set to compete in the main NLS2 race later on Saturday. The endurance format will present a different challenge compared to qualifying, requiring not only outright speed but also consistency, traffic management, and effective teamwork across multiple stints. With strong co-drivers in Juncadella and Gounon, Verstappen Racing will enter the race as clear favorites following their dominant qualifying display.
Fans will now be eager to see whether Verstappen can convert his pole position into victory and further cement his status as one of the most complete drivers in modern motorsport.
