The first hours of Max Verstappen at the Nürburgring are over. After Daniel Juncadella took the opening stint at 3:00 PM, the Dutchman got behind the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 between 4:00 and 6:30 PM. The four-time F1 champion immediately showed his best side; with a series of beautiful overtaking maneuvers, Verstappen set the Nürburgring alight. He also took the lead in the race and extended his advantage significantly.
Read more VIDEO: 24 Hours of the Nürburgring started, Verstappen Racing maintains P4
The first laps of Verstappen on the Nordschleife immediately produced spectacle. After a somewhat wild opening phase – in which he narrowly avoided a crash after a big jump – he immediately started hunting the cars ahead of him. This resulted in several impressive overtaking moves. For example, he thrilled the crowd by passing the same Mercedes-AMG GT3 on the outside, notably with two wheels on the grass. A few laps later, the popular ‘Grello’ Porsche also had to give way after a divebomb on the Grand Prix circuit.
Crash fest
Thierry Vermeulen, who races for Kondo Racing in the Ferrari 296 GT3, was less fortunate. During an overtaking maneuver on a backmarker, he also went off onto the grass. He lost control of the car and crashed hard into the barriers. That immediately meant the end of the race for the Dutchman. The #16 Audi, now a regular sparring partner of Verstappen, also would not see the checkered flag. After a crash with the #47 Mercedes-AMG, the battered car barely made it to the pit lane, but to no avail.
Read more Nürburgring star buries the hatchet, praises Verstappen’s approach: ‘Genuine passion’
Shortly after 5:00 PM, the first raindrops fell on the Nordschleife, although a serious shower did not materialize. Towards the end of Verstappen’s stint, the sun broke through again. The Limburg native handed the Mercedes over to teammate Jules Gounon. Verstappen is expected to take some rest now before returning to action later tonight. In nearly two and a half hours, the maximum length for a stint, he completed twenty-three laps.
Tu tu tu du Max Verstappen 😎#24hNBR
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.#nürburgring #nordschleife #racing #motorsport pic.twitter.com/Qwzw2b40jaRead more Tom Coronel: ‘Everyone moves aside for Max at the Nürburgring’
— ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring (@24hNBR) May 16, 2026
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