Max Verstappen and his Team Verstappen Racing squad produced a strong performance during the dramatic qualifying sessions for the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours, securing an impressive second-row starting position for one of the toughest endurance races in world motorsport. The four-time Formula 1 world champion entered the legendary German event surrounded by massive anticipation, and the qualifying battle fully delivered on the excitement expected by fans across the globe.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife, often called the “Green Hell,” once again lived up to its fearsome reputation as changing weather conditions, difficult track temperatures, and intense competition created a thrilling qualifying showdown. Verstappen, sharing the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer, had to navigate multiple qualifying stages before the final grid was decided.
Unlike a standard Formula 1 qualifying format, the Nürburgring 24 Hours uses a much more complex structure involving several qualifying sessions and knockout-style Top Qualifying rounds. Teams first compete in regular qualifying sessions before progressing into Top Qualifying 1, Top Qualifying 2, and ultimately Top Qualifying 3, where the pole position battle is decided.
From the beginning of the event, Team Verstappen Racing immediately showed strong pace. During the opening qualifying session, the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 spent considerable time near the top of the timing screens. Verstappen himself delivered competitive laps before handing the car over to his teammates as the conditions evolved around the iconic circuit. The team eventually completed the first session in third place overall, proving they had the speed necessary to challenge the front-running manufacturers.
The opening stages of qualifying were heavily influenced by unpredictable Eifel weather. Rain showers and low grip levels made the circuit incredibly challenging, particularly during the evening session when darkness began to fall over the Nordschleife. Drivers were forced to balance aggression with caution around the 25-kilometre track, where even a small mistake can destroy a qualifying run or damage the car before the main race begins.
Verstappen later admitted the conditions were extremely difficult, particularly with changing grip levels across different sections of the circuit. Still, the Dutch superstar managed to safely guide the car through the early stages while ensuring the team advanced into the crucial Top Qualifying sessions.
The Friday qualifying action then intensified dramatically. In Top Qualifying 1, the #34 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 topped the timesheets with an impressive lap time of 8:12.135. Verstappen’s #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 placed fifth during that phase, remaining comfortably within the competitive group progressing to the next stage. Several major manufacturers featured strongly throughout the session, including Porsche, Ford, Audi, Lamborghini, BMW, Ferrari, and Mercedes-AMG.
Top Qualifying 2 proved even more competitive as the pace at the front increased significantly. The #130 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 delivered the fastest time with an 8:10.485 lap, narrowly beating the Aston Martin and Porsche challengers. Verstappen once again ensured his car remained safely inside the advancing positions, with the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 finishing sixth in the session. That result secured a coveted place in the final pole shootout.
The decisive Top Qualifying 3 session ultimately settled the grid for the race itself. Dani Juncadella handled driving duties for Team Verstappen Racing in the final shootout and delivered an outstanding performance under immense pressure. The Spaniard pushed the Mercedes-AMG GT3 to fourth position overall with a lap just under one second away from pole position.
Pole position eventually went to the #84 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 after an exceptional lap of 8:11.123. Another Lamborghini secured second place, highlighting the manufacturer’s impressive speed around the Nordschleife. The #16 Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II claimed third, while Verstappen’s Mercedes-AMG completed the second row in fourth place.
Behind the leading quartet, the grid remained incredibly tight. Ferrari’s #45 296 GT3 Evo finished fifth, followed by another Lamborghini entry in sixth. Ford’s new Mustang GT3 EVO secured seventh position, while Porsche’s famous #911 GT3 R lined up eighth. BMW and another Mercedes-AMG rounded out the top ten positions for the start of the 24-hour race.
The final Top Qualifying 3 results were as follows:
#84 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 #130 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 #16 Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 – Team Verstappen Racing #45 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo #7 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 #64 Ford Mustang GT3 EVO #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R #1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO #47 Mercedes-AMG GT3
Although Verstappen narrowly missed out on pole position, the overall result represented a major achievement for the team considering the strength of the field and the brutal challenge posed by the Nürburgring circuit. Starting from fourth on the grid places Team Verstappen Racing in an excellent position heading into the endurance classic.
The atmosphere surrounding the event has also been extraordinary due to Verstappen’s participation. Reports suggest that his presence has significantly boosted ticket sales and global attention for the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Motorsport fans from across Europe travelled to Germany to watch the reigning Formula 1 superstar compete on one of the world’s most dangerous and historic racing circuits.
Verstappen’s move into GT and endurance racing has impressed many within the motorsport community. Despite already dominating Formula 1 in recent years, the Dutchman has shown remarkable adaptability by quickly becoming competitive in endurance racing machinery as well. His performances during Nürburgring qualifying further demonstrated his versatility behind the wheel.
Now attention turns toward the race itself, where consistency, traffic management, weather adaptation, and reliability will prove even more important than outright qualifying pace. The Nürburgring 24 Hours is widely considered one of the hardest endurance races in the world due to the unforgiving nature of the Nordschleife and the enormous speed differences between classes sharing the circuit.
With Verstappen and his experienced teammates starting from fourth position, Team Verstappen Racing remains firmly in contention for a memorable result. If they can avoid trouble during the long overnight hours and maintain competitive pace, the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 could become one of the biggest stories of the entire endurance racing season.
