This weekend Max Verstappen is fully focused on the opening round of the new Formula 1 season, but the four-time world champion is already looking ahead to another important date on his busy racing calendar. The Dutch driver is expected to return to action at the legendary Nürburgring on Saturday, March 21, when he could take part in the NLS2 race, a crucial four-hour endurance event that serves as preparation for the prestigious Nürburgring 24 Hours scheduled for May 16–17.
For Verstappen, who has repeatedly expressed his passion for endurance racing and GT machinery, the race would represent another step in building experience on one of the most demanding circuits in world motorsport. The Nürburgring Nordschleife, often referred to as the “Green Hell,” is famous for its extreme difficulty, long lap distance, unpredictable weather conditions and constant elevation changes. Taking part in an endurance race at this circuit requires not only speed but also deep familiarity with the track and the car.
Barring any last-minute surprises, Verstappen will climb into the cockpit of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 entered by Winward Racing during the penultimate weekend of March, according to reports from Motorsport-total. The second round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) was moved forward by one week at the specific request of Mercedes, and it will most likely feature the presence of the multiple Formula 1 champion.
The objective for Verstappen will be to gain valuable experience with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 on the challenging Nürburgring circuit. Over the winter months he decided to switch machinery after previously racing – and winning – alongside Chris Lulham in the Ferrari 296 GT3 run by Emil Frey Racing during an event held last October. That victory further strengthened his growing reputation outside Formula 1 as a highly capable GT driver.
Verstappen at the Nürburgring between Shanghai and Suzuka
With a one-week break between the Chinese Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar, Verstappen could take advantage of what currently appears to be the only weekend free of conflicts with F1 commitments before the Nürburgring 24 Hours. From a logistical perspective, that makes the March 21 event particularly important.
Making the most of this opportunity could be crucial, especially considering Verstappen’s own ambitions. The Dutch driver has openly spoken about his desire to tackle the extremely demanding endurance race in the Eifel region with thorough preparation behind him. Competing in a race such as the Nürburgring 24 Hours requires extensive experience with the circuit and the car, and participating in the NLS event would allow him to gather crucial mileage and competitive experience.
Weather conditions could still play a decisive role, as is often the case at the Nürburgring. The Eifel region is notorious for rapidly changing weather patterns, and rain or fog can dramatically alter track conditions in a matter of minutes. Verstappen will certainly hope that the weather does not interfere with his plans for March 21, allowing him to complete the full race distance and continue his preparation.
It is true that the Dutch driver has already had the opportunity to familiarize himself with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 during recent private tests carried out at the Portuguese circuits of Estoril and Portimão. However, the unique and very specific conditions of the Nürburgring Nordschleife make it essential to gain experience directly on this track. The complexity of the circuit, with more than 20 kilometers of asphalt, over 150 corners and huge elevation changes, means that even experienced drivers need significant time to adapt.
For this reason, taking part in at least one competitive race before the Nürburgring 24 Hours is widely considered essential for anyone aiming to perform well in the endurance classic. The NLS2 event would therefore serve as a valuable rehearsal before tackling the chaos and intensity of the 24-hour race itself.
Team lineup still to be defined
The final driver lineup for the race has not yet been officially confirmed. Several possible teammates have been mentioned, but the composition of the crew remains uncertain for the time being.
Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon could both potentially be available for the event, as the prologue of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Qatar was cancelled following the decision to postpone the 1812 km race. That schedule change could free the two Mercedes factory drivers to join the Nürburgring program.
Meanwhile, Chris Lulham – who recently claimed the title in the Asian Le Mans Series driving the Ferrari run by Kessel Racing – has not yet confirmed whether he will participate. Lulham has already driven the Mercedes-AMG GT3 earlier this year during the Dubai 24 Hours, competing with the team operated by the Grove family, so he would represent another strong option if he decides to take part.
The choice of teammates will be important, as endurance racing requires strong cooperation between drivers who must share the car over long distances. Experience on the Nürburgring Nordschleife is particularly valuable, given the extreme demands of the circuit and the unique traffic management required when faster GT3 cars interact with slower classes on track.
The “Plan B” option if the Bahrain Grand Prix is cancelled
The current geopolitical situation in the Middle East could potentially open another opportunity for Verstappen and his team to return to the Nürburgring later in the spring.
Formula 1 has not yet made a final decision regarding the Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled to take place from April 10 to April 12. The event currently overlaps with the third round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie. If the race at the Sakhir circuit were to be cancelled and not replaced by another Grand Prix at a different venue, Verstappen would suddenly find himself with an additional free weekend.
That scenario would create a second chance for the Dutch driver to head back to the Nürburgring and accumulate more valuable kilometers in preparation for the 24-hour race. Extra mileage on the Nordschleife would undoubtedly be beneficial, particularly for a driver who aims to approach the endurance challenge with the highest possible level of preparation.
If the Bahrain event were cancelled, it is also likely that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah would be affected as well. In that case, Verstappen would potentially be free during the same weekend as the Nürburgring 24h Qualifiers, an important preparatory event whose schedule includes practice sessions and races designed to help drivers obtain the necessary permits to compete in the main 24-hour race.
For drivers who already hold those permits, the qualifiers still represent an excellent opportunity to refine their preparation and further develop the car setup. Participation in these sessions could therefore be extremely valuable for Verstappen as he continues to build experience in GT3 endurance racing.
At the moment, however, both the FIA and Liberty Media are still evaluating the situation and have not yet announced a definitive decision regarding the mid-April race weekends. For now, the possibility of additional Nürburgring appearances remains only a scenario under consideration.
Much will depend on how the Formula 1 calendar evolves in the coming weeks. If Verstappen’s participation on March 21 were to become problematic due to scheduling conflicts or other logistical issues, the alternative opportunity in April could become even more significant.
Regardless of the exact timing, Verstappen’s growing involvement in endurance racing continues to attract considerable attention. Fans are increasingly curious to see how one of Formula 1’s most successful drivers will perform in one of the toughest endurance events in the world. The Nürburgring 24 Hours has a long history of dramatic races and legendary performances, and the presence of a driver of Verstappen’s caliber would only add further excitement to the event.
For now, however, the Dutch driver remains focused on his immediate commitments in Formula 1. But if everything goes according to plan, it will not be long before he once again takes on the legendary “Green Hell,” continuing his preparation for what could become one of the most fascinating chapters of his racing career.
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