-
Nate SaundersMar 21, 2026, 01:31 PM ET
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Your US State Privacy Rights
- Children's Online Privacy Policy
- Interest-Based Ads
- About Nielsen Measurement
- Your Privacy Choices
- Contact Us
- Disney Ad Sales Site
- Work for ESPN
- Corrections
Max Verstappen has claimed a second GT3 race victory at the Nurburgring ahead of his debut at the iconic circuit's 24-hour endurance race in May.
Verstappen won the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie's four-hour ADAC Barbarossapreis event alongside teammates Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon for Verstappen Racing, which runs a Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Verstappen has already been a vocal critic of F1's new cars -- which he has branded "Formula E on steroids" due to their new emphasis on battery harvesting and boosts -- and Saturday's race will have been a welcome distraction.
Verstappen's team had taken pole position for the event and ended up winning by over a minute, although the Dutchman had to recover after losing the lead on the opening lap.
He won a similar event with Chris Lulham in a Ferrari 296 GT3 at a highly publicised debut at the circuit last September.
This time the four-time F1 world champion was competing with his own team to prepare himself for May's Nurburgring 24 Hours.
Verstappen Racing has entered that event, which will take place on May 16 and 17.
Verstappen will partner Juncadella, Gounon and Lucas Auer at the race.
The German circuit, nicknamed "The Green Hell," has earned legendary status since it first opened in 1927, but was removed from F1's race schedule in 1976 after it was considered too dangerous.
Verstappen has made no secret of his desire to explore other types of racing outside of Formula 1 -- he also wants to take part in the most famous endurance race of them all, the Le Mans 24 Hours -- and his growing frustration with the series will only heighten fascination in his non-F1 activities going forwards.
After the Chinese Grand Prix last week, Verstappen labelled F1's new cars "a joke" said anyone enjoying the sport's new battery-boosted overtakes do not understand real racing.
The Red Bull driver, who has a contract with the team until 2028, has made no secret of the fact he would consider quitting F1 if he stopped enjoying it.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos.
Copyright: © 2026 ESPN Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.
Context:
Verstappen dominated GT3 racing at Nurburgring, winning by over a minute to prep for May's 24-hour endurance race.
Context:
This signals Verstappen's serious pivot away from F1 amid his vocal criticism of the sport's new battery-focused format.
Context:
The Nurburgring was dropped from F1 in 1976 for being too dangerous, earning the nickname "The Green Hell."