Max Verstappen and his teammates miss out on a crucial advantage for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The team of the four-time world champion did not secure a designated spot for the Top Q3 qualifying for the 24-hour race. With this designated spot, the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 could have skipped the first two qualifying rounds and gone straight into the shootout for the top twelve on the grid. Now, the Dutchman, along with his teammates, has to take a longer route.
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In addition to 22 Grands Prix this year, Max Verstappen is also starting in the iconic 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The Dutchman is already busy with preparations and therefore also participated in two qualifying races last month. During that NLS weekend, six teams were supposed to receive a designated spot for the decisive Top Q3 qualifying for the 24-hour race in May, similar to Q3 in Formula 1. However, because the first qualifying race was canceled due to the tragic accident of driver Juha Miettinen, only five teams will receive a designated spot for the Top Q3 qualifying.
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No designated spot for Team Verstappen
Unfortunately for Verstappen’s team, they are not one of these five, meaning they must first go through Top Q1 qualifying and Top Q2 qualifying. Through this route, #3 Verstappen Racing can still reach the important qualifying session. However, there is also the rule that each top qualifying session must be driven by a different driver. So not only Verstappen can complete the qualifying, but teammates Dani Juncadella, Lucas Auer, and Jules Gounon must also get to work.
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