Max Verstappen wins NLS2 4-hour race at Nürburgring with his Mercedes-AMG

The "Green Hell" has been dominated again. In a performance that sent shockwaves through the endurance racing paddock, Max Verstappen secured a commanding victory today in the 58th ADAC Barbarossapreis (NLS2) at the Nürburgring. Driving for his own Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing outfit, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion proved that his talent transcends disciplines, finishing nearly a minute clear of his nearest rivals.

A qualifying lap for the history books

The tone for the day was set during a frantic morning qualifying session. Despite a 45-minute red flag and numerous "Code 60" zones, Verstappen found a clear pocket of air to deliver a lap that left spectators and rivals alike in disbelief.

The duel: wheel-banging at 270 km/h

While the final margin suggested a comfortable Sunday drive, the first hour of the race was anything but. Max Verstappen found himself embroiled in a gladiatorial battle with Christopher Haase in the No. 16 Scherer Sport PHX Audi. Haase, a local legend with decades of experience on the Eifel circuit, used his deep knowledge of the track to snatch the lead early in the opening stint.

For the next 45 minutes, the two were inseparable, rarely separated by more than half a second. The climax of the duel occurred on Lap 7. Utilizing a massive slipstream down the 1.3-mile Döttinger Höhe straight, Verstappen pulled alongside Haase at speeds exceeding 270 km/h. The two cars famously rubbed shoulders—banging wheels as they entered the final chicane—before Verstappen surged ahead to reclaim the lead just before the first pit window.

Haase later remarked that it was some of the hardest, most enjoyable racing of his career, noting that Verstappen’s adaptability to the unique bumps and cambers of the Nordschleife was "simply awesome."

Overcoming technical setbacks

The victory was made even more impressive by the drama that unfolded behind the scenes. The team’s weekend started on the back foot after suspected suspension issues limited their running during Friday’s practice sessions. The Winward Racing crew, who operate the Verstappen Racing entry, worked through the night to prepare the car for Saturday’s action.

The car itself was a fan favorite, sporting a striking Red Bull-themed livery that was recently unveiled through a high-stakes B.A.S.E. jump stunt. Despite the Mercedes-AMG machinery, the branding highlights Verstappen’s unique, multi-platform partnership with Red Bull’s endurance division.

Clinical execution and the road to May

Once the initial battle with the Audi subsided, the Verstappen Racing trio operated with clinical efficiency. Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon maintained a relentless pace through the middle stints, extending the lead over the No. 99 ROWE Racing BMW of Dan Harper and Sheldon van der Linde.

Verstappen returned to the cockpit for the final leg of the race, managing the gap through heavy traffic to take the checkered flag 59.524 seconds ahead of the field. The final podium was completed by the No. 44 Falken Motorsports Porsche, which finished just over a minute behind the winners.

With two wins in two competitive starts at the Nordschleife, Verstappen has officially transitioned from an "F1 guest" to the favorite for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring (May 14-17). He will be joined by Lucas Auer for the main event, forming what many are already calling an endurance "super-team." If today's performance was merely a dress rehearsal, the rest of the GT3 world has every reason to be concerned.