Max contests two 4-hour races on the Nordschleife this weekend

Published on 17 April 2026 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen has arrived at the Nürburgring Nordschleife ahead of this weekend’s 24h Qualifiers. It is a weekend in which the contestants of the Nürburgring 24 Hrs, scheduled for 14-17 May, can test and practice. Max will share a Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen GT3-car with Lucas Auer.

The Friday is the calm before the storm with the drivers able to drive in a 2.5-hour practice session. Verstappen Racing had a session without issues and will now focus on qualifying on Saturday morning (8.30-10.00 local time) which will determine the grid for race 1 (17.30-21.30) later on the day.

Sunday will feature qualifying for the second race of the weekend. An initial qualifying will start at 8.15 until 9.45, before a session later in the morning with the fastest drivers will set the final grid ahead of the race start at 1pm.

Although the name of this weekend’s event, ‘24h Qualifiers’, might suggest that it serves as a qualifying session for the main 24-hour race, it only offers drivers the option to qualify for the deciding Q3 session in May. Like in Formula 1, Q3 will decide who takes pole position.

There are three Q3 spots up for grabs this weekend; the team that sets the theoretically fastest lap in all three qualifying sessions will take one spot, with the two teams that set the theoretical fastest laps in both races taking the remaining two spots.

Viaplay will broadcast both races. You can also tune into Verstappen Sim Racing featuring live on-boards and a contest to win signed 1:2 2017 helmet models: https://www.twitch.tv/teamredline/