Deprived of two Grands Prix, the Dutchman has already found an alternative to stay on track.
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The 2026 Formula 1 season is already experiencing a major upheaval. Following tensions in the Middle East and attacks involving Iran, the sport has made the decision to cancel two important events: the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Direct consequence: after the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, the paddock will enter a forced break until the beginning of May, with a restart scheduled in Miami. An unusual situation that completely breaks the rhythm of the start of the season.
But for Max Verstappen, there is no question of staying without driving for several weeks.
Heading to the Nürburgring to stay sharp
The four-time world champion has confirmed his intention to participate in the qualifying races for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, a legendary endurance event held on the fearsome Nordschleife.
These preparatory races, scheduled for April 18 and 19, fall exactly on the weekend when the race in Saudi Arabia was originally supposed to take place. A perfect opportunity for Verstappen to keep up the competitive pace.
This decision follows a clear logic: stay active, continue to rack up kilometers and avoid any loss of bearings in the middle of the season.
Preparation already underway… despite a setback
Even before this announcement, Verstappen had already returned to the wheel at the Nürburgring. Partnered with Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon, he had won a round of the NLS series on the Nordschleife.
However, this victory was ultimately cancelled after the fact, the crew having been disqualified for using an unauthorized extra set of tires. A setback that, however, does not dampen the Dutchman’s motivation.
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While his participation seems logical, Verstappen remains attentive to his team’s situation. He notably mentioned the case of his teammate Lucas Auer, currently the only driver available for certain sessions.
“For the moment, Lucas is alone in the car, and it wouldn’t be ideal for him to do all the work. If I can help, it would make sense” he explained.
Indeed, Juncadella and Gounon will be engaged elsewhere that weekend, respectively in endurance at Imola for Genesis and Alpine.
An April far from being calm
Even without Formula 1, Verstappen is therefore preparing for a busy month of April. Between his endurance activities and the preparation for the rest of the season, the Red Bull driver clearly refuses to lift off.
A way also to bounce back after a complicated start to the weekend at Suzuka, where he was eliminated prematurely in qualifying.
In a season already marked by regulatory changes and irregular performances, every detail counts. By choosing to stay on track, Verstappen is sending a clear message : he does not intend to leave anything to chance.
This detour into endurance could well allow him to return even sharper for the restart in Miami… and fully relaunch his season.
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