The 24 Hours of Nürburgring have begun! On Saturday, May 16, the German classic started promptly at 3:00 PM. Max Verstappen’s team – who is making his debut in endurance racing this weekend – started from the fourth position. Teammate Daniel Juncadella took the opening stint. After half an hour of racing, the Spaniard is still in P4; he gained two positions at the start, but as the lead group had to navigate through traffic, he fell back again.
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The start of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring went off without major incidents. Polesitter Mirko Bortolotti, competing in the #84 Lamborghini, however, came off worse. After a touch with Juncadella, his left rear tire was damaged, forcing him to head straight to the pits from the Grand Prix circuit. Andrea Mapelli, active in the #130 Lamborghini, inherited the lead as a result. Due to a mistake by the #16 Audi, Juncadella also moved up to second place. An excellent opening phase for Max Verstappen’s team.
The lower race classes were also underway by then, causing the leaders on the Nordschleife to quickly encounter backmarkers. The leading Lamborghini got through the traffic without damage after some pushing and shoving. Juncadella was less lucky. During an overtaking maneuver on a backmarker, the #7 Lamborghini and the popular ‘Grello’ Porsche slipped past him. This pushed Verstappen Racing back to P4. When Verstappen will start his first stint is still unknown.
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24-hour racing action starts now! 🔥#24hNBR
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.#nürburgring #nordschleife #racing #motorsport pic.twitter.com/vdb6EHuctMRead more Two-time Nürburgring winner Nicky Catsburg: ‘Team Verstappen has the perfect starting position’
— ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring (@24hNBR) May 16, 2026
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