Max Verstappen continues to impress in his first participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. With less than four hours to go, the Mercedes #3 still dominates the race after another exceptional stint by the Dutchman.
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As the hours pass, Max Verstappen confirms that he did not just come to discover endurance racing on the Nordschleife. The four-time F1 world champion is now establishing himself as the strong man of this 2026 edition of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
After an already remarkable night, the Red Bull driver delivered another extremely solid double stint Sunday morning, allowing the Mercedes-AMG GT3 #3 to consolidate its position at the front.
With less than four hours remaining before the finish, only two cars still seem capable of fighting for victory: the Mercedes #3 of Verstappen Racing and the sister Mercedes #80.
Since Saturday evening, the two crews have gradually taken the upper hand over the rest of the field, imposing an impressive pace on the legendary German circuit.
An intense duel between the two Mercedes
Verstappen took the wheel again around 8:45 in the morning with only five seconds lead over Luca Stolz, driver of the Mercedes #80. The first laps offered a particularly tense duel between the two cars.
At first, Stolz managed to stay in contact with the Dutchman, preventing Verstappen from immediately increasing the gap.
But as soon as the Red Bull driver got some clean air in traffic, the pace difference became obvious. Lap after lap, Verstappen increased his lead with impressive consistency.
The Dutchman proved particularly effective in managing overtakes on the lower categories, an aspect often decisive on the Nordschleife.
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More than thirty seconds lead after his stint
When handing over the wheel after his double stint, Verstappen had completely reversed the dynamics of the duel. His lead over Maro Engel, now at the wheel of the Mercedes #80, exceeded thirty seconds.
A considerable gap in a race where the two cars still seemed very close just a few hours earlier.
This performance also represents an important psychological blow for the rival crew, now forced to take more risks to hope to come back before the finish.
The situation could have even become more complicated for the Mercedes #80 after an investigation regarding a possible infraction under Code 60 regime. Ultimately, the stewards decided to take no sanction.
Verstappen Racing now dreams of a historic feat
After Verstappen’s masterful stint, Dani Juncadella took the wheel to manage this crucial phase of the race.
The Spaniard must now maintain the lead built by the Dutchman and his teammates Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer, all very solid since the start of the race.
Max Verstappen is then expected to get back in the car for the final sprint and try to secure a victory already historic for a first participation.
While the Nordschleife remains capable of overturning any situation until the last kilometers, the Red Bull driver has clearly sent a message to the entire GT paddock this weekend: even in endurance, he is already an absolute reference.
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