Verstappen Racing wins flawless NLS2 race. Max: 'Super enjoyable'
Published on 21 March 2026 by Florence Cobben
Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing claimed victory in the second round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS2) following a faultless drive from its lineup. Starting from pole, Max Verstappen led the way and shared driving duties in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon, together covering the four-hour race. Despite strong competition on the demanding 24-kilometer circuit, it was the #3 car – prepared by Winward Racing – that ultimately crossed the finish line first.
“For me, this whole weekend has been about getting to grips with the car on the Nordschleife. Which yes, it was super enjoyable,” says Max, reflecting on his second Nordschleife win. “The team also prepared the car really well, so we could do some decent testing. They made me feel really comfortable with the car. So yeah, really good experience for me.”
Max elaborated: “This whole venue is, of course, amazing. Also to see all the fans, and just how passionate they are about racing and the cars here – it’s always fantastic to see, and I’m happy to be a part of that. For me this is one of the craziest tracks in the world... in a good way! I’ve been watching this for a very long time, and it’s one of these races that you just want to compete in. And at least finally this year I have the chance to do it.”
Jules Gounon added: “It feels amazing. First race back at the ring with Max and Dani is exceptional. The story is exceptional, my two teammates were exceptional, and the team also. So it feels great, honestly. Max is just so amazing, so humble. I just feel like I have a top teammate next to me. That’s the thing, he’s just… it’s Max. There’s no lative for him. Together with Dani, and him, we have a really good relationship. Luci (Lucas Auer) will join us for the (24 Hour Nürburgring) race, and the four of us are really close, and I can’t wait honestly.”
Dani Juncadella shared some closing thoughts: “It great to win again. The last couple of years have not been that lucky in the Nordschleife to get a win. Everything counts towards our big goal in the 24 Hour Nürburgring race. Great start from Max in this project, and me also to be back with Mercedes-AMG in a very competitive car... Yeah, it’s great."
Max takes a flying start from pole position and knows how to keep the lead going into the first corner. However, the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II from Scherer Sport PHX with Christopher Haase behind the wheel is soon applying pressure and ultimately takes the lead. David Pittard is in third, in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 from KCMG.
Max sticks close to Haase, never leaving his rearview mirrors as the pair battle through traffic. In a nerve-wracking show, the two go head-to-head, the gap between the cars hovering around a couple of tenths. Finally, on lap seven, Max makes his move, cleanly overtaking the Audi to take the lead. Having got his man, Max immediately dives into the pits where the car is not only outfitted with more fuel and new tyres, but also a fresh driver: Juncadella takes over the baton from Max and continues the race.
Immediately the team loses the lead Max battled so hard for – while exiting the pits, the #16 Scherer Sport PHX manages to just squeeze ahead of the #3 team, this time with Nico Hantke behind the steering wheel. Juncadella doesn't back down and manages to not only reclaim the lead of the race, but also maintain it when a short code 60 is enacted after a car came to a standstill on track. Hantke, however, drops from P2 to P4. It is now the #47 Mercedes-AMG GT3 from KCMG that is trailing the Verstappen Racing team at a comfortable six-second distance.
The fight for second place commences, and it is Jordan Pepper in the #99 BMW M4 GT3 Evo van Rowe Racing who manages to outmaneuver Nirei Fukuzumi in the #47 KCMG. After 14 laps, the second round of pitstops gets underway, and Juncadella passes the keys of the car to Jules Gounon for the third stint. However, the comfortable 30-second gap Juncadella managed to build to second place is slashed by another code 60, and once the cars are free to race, the #99 car driven by Dan Harper emerges within a second of Gounon.
Things heat up in lap eighteen, as Harper attacks and Gounon defends. On the straight, the #99 BMW successfully passes the Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG, but Gounon rises to the challenge. When both cars head into traffic, navigating through the race's back markers, Harper is served a penalty for making contact with one of the slower cars. After the penalty, the gap between Verstappen Racing and second place is five seconds.
After 22 laps and 45 minutes to go, Gounon also heads into the pit lane and Max takes over the steering wheel for the last stint. At this point, the #16 Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II – now driven again by Nico Hantke – is almost a minute-and-a-half behind. Meanwhile, the battle for position stays intense from second down to seventh place, where Thierry Vermuielem races in the 45 Ferrari 296 GT3 from ‘Realize Kondo Racing with Rinaldi’.
Positions continue to change frequently, but when the checkered flag falls after four hours of racing, it is the #99 Rowe Racing car that finishes ahead of the #44 Porsche 911 GT3 R from Falken Motorsports. Vermeulen brings his Ferrari 296 GT3 home in fifth place. The well-deserved winners of a flawless race are Max Verstappen, Dani Juncadella, and Jules Gounon in the Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing car.
Max Verstappen Shop is exclusively launching a Nürburgring NLS GT3 collection to commemorate the event. The collection includes a T-shirt, hoodie, and scale models (1:18 and 1:43) of Max’s NLS2 Mercedes-AMG GT3 car. See: https://store.verstappen.com/c-11093
