Max Verstappen at Nürburgring 24h Qualifiers 2026: schedule and how to watch

•April 6, 2026•News

Max Verstappen confirmed for 24h Qualifiers at Nürburgring

If you thought Max Verstappen would take a weekend off to brood over Red Bull's current performance woes in Formula 1, you clearly don't know Max. Less than 48 hours after a frustrating P8 finish at the Japanese Grand Prix, the Dutchman was already back in the cockpit---but not a single-seater.

Verstappen has officially confirmed his entry into the 2026 24h Qualifiers at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Trading the RB22 for a Mercedes-AMG GT3, the four-time F1 champion is proving once again that he is a racing purist who simply cannot stay away from the "Green Hell."

The mission: conquering the dark and the damp

Verstappen isn't just there to make up the numbers; he has specific technical "itch" he needs to scratch. After his victory was famously revoked at the 58th ADAC Barbarossa Prize earlier this year, Max expressed a desire to master the Nordschleife in two specific conditions: rain and darkness.

He's already ticked the "rain" box during recent tests. Now, the 24h Qualifiers will provide the "darkness." With Saturday's race ending at 9:30 PM and the sun setting at 8:30 PM, Verstappen is expected to take the final stint, giving him a full hour of high-speed navigation through the Eifel forest in partial night-time conditions.

The teammate shuffle: enter Lucas Auer

With regular teammates Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella occupied with the WEC 6 Hours of Imola this same weekend, Verstappen will share the Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Lucas Auer.

This is a strategic move for the team. Auer is a seasoned Nordschleife specialist, and this weekend ensures Verstappen will have competed with all three of his intended teammates before the main 24-hour race later this summer.

How to watch: don't miss a second

For fans wanting to see if Verstappen can translate his F1 precision to the most dangerous track in the world, here is how you can follow the action:

Official Live Stream: The races will be broadcast for free on the official 24h Nürburgring YouTube channel and the NLS (Nürburgring Endurance Series) website.
On-Board Cameras: Expect a dedicated on-board stream for Verstappen's Mercedes-AMG GT3, often hosted by specialized sim-racing or motorsport portals.

Full schedule: 24h Qualifiers 2026

Mark your calendars. All times are in Central European Summer Time (CEST).

Friday, April 17, 2026

12:15 PM -- 2:45 PM: Test and Setup Runs

Saturday, April 18, 2026

8:30 AM -- 10:00 AM: Qualifying (Race 1)
5:30 PM -- 9:30 PM: Race 1 (240 min.) --- Watch for Verstappen in the final hour of darkness!

Sunday, April 19, 2026

8:15 AM -- 9:45 AM: Qualifying (Race 2)
10:40 AM -- 11:40 AM: Top Qualifying (The Shootout)
1:00 PM -- 5:00 PM: Race 2 (240 min.)