Nurburgring 24 Hours, 06:00-09:00: Leading #3 Verstappen Racing forced to retire

Published on 17 May 2026 by Kees-Jan Koster

The number 3 car of Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing managed to extend its lead between 9.00 am and 11.30 am to more than half a minute over the other factory-backed Mercedes-AMG, car #80, until disaster struck and the team’s hopes of victory in the 54th edition of the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring ended in technical retirement instead.

“It was good,” Max explained after his stint on Sunday morning, when Verstappen Racing was still leading. “Back in the daylight, trying to stay safe while still maintaining good pace and staying out of trouble. It felt good, the car was working well.”

Speaking about driving a GT3 car, Max added: “The competition, endurance style racing with team-mates. A 24-hour race, especially here, is incredibly challenging. That whole combination.” Will we see you back here next year? “I will for sure try, but it also depends on my calendar.”

Shortly after 9 o’clock, light rain began to fall, causing lap times to increase, although not enough for teams to switch to wet tyres. Max completed a double stint, extending the lead over the #80 Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol car from five seconds to 33 seconds before handing the wheel over to his team-mate Dani Juncadella at around 11 am after 130 laps.

Juncadella had only completed a few laps when he unexpectedly returned to the pits after suddenly losing speed. A problem with the driveshaft was discovered and, while the Winward Racing team worked on the car in the garage, Verstappen Racing dropped far down the order and, after 133 laps, the race appeared effectively over for the team. With that, victory was lost.

The #80 Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol car inherited the lead, while the battle for the remaining two podium places was still far from decided.

Nürburgring 24 Hours - Classification after 19 hours, at 10:00
Nürburgring 24 Hours - Classification after 21 hours, at 12:00