Max is officially confirmed to take part in the NBR 24h Qualifiers in April. He'll drive with Lucas Auer, who'll also take part in the 24h in May with Dani and Jules. This means two more races for him. Max is set to practice his evening and night stint on Saturday as race 1 starts in the late afternoon going until 21.30.
Looking ahead at next weekend, I came across some cool bits about the Nordschleife that I thought would interest my fellow tumblrinas (gn)
Basics
The Nürburgring is the longest, permanent, dedicated racing track in the world at 20.8km (12.9 miles) long. It used to be even longer but was reconfigured for safety in the 70s following Niki Lauda’s horrible crash in 1976
It is located in the Eifel region in western Germany
Construction started in 1925 around a little town called Nürburg. Not to be confused with Nürnberg (Nuremberg) in the south of Germany (that’s a 4-hour drive)
A design competition was held to decide where and how to build it. The winning idea was to build it around the 860-year-old Nürburg, a castle first built in 1166. You can see its crumbling ruins in the background during the race weekend.
Moody! The track is in the middle of the Eifel mountain range which has its own micro-climate. It's colder and wetter than surrounding areas, with high rainfall and frequent fog. This leads to oftentimes tricky conditions when races are held, just like yesterday when they cancelled NLS1 - the season kick-off - cause the track looked like this (picture courtesy of @thissying):
Lots of rain = lots of green hence why Jackie Stewart nicknamed it 'Green Hell' following his victory at the 1968 German Grand Prix despite extremely wet and foggy conditions.
Visibility is so pathetically poor I can't even see Chris' car in front of me [...] I am simply driving into this great wall of spray. I pull out to pass him but the spray is dense and I'm driving blind.
— Jackie Stewart, Winning Is Not Enough
Nürburgring or Nordschleife?
Nürburgring describes the whole complex, made up of multiple sub-tracks. These have changed over the years, so below is a whistle-stop rundown.
Initially, in the 1920s, the ring consisted of two parts - the northern loop Nordschleife and the southern loop, Südschleife.
They could be used separately or driven together. North and south added up to the aforementioned 28km long track. The southern part was considered more dangerous because trees lined the edge of the track very closely.
That doesn't say much, even the northern part had a reputation of being extremely dangerous. F1 races were held there from the late 1920s until the 70s. As F1 cars evolved, it became more and more dangerous to drive them at this track. Measures to make racing safer included the addition of a chicane to reduce speeds, removal of bumps and installation of armco barriers (before they only had hedges ?!?). By the 1970s, the German Grand Prix required 5x the marshals and medical staff as a typical F1 race.
After Lauda's crash, a decision was made to construct an entirely new, much safer Grand Prix circuit to host F1 and the southern loop, Südschleife, was demolished as a result to make space for the new circuit.
Current layout
Today, we have two circuits: Nürburgring Nordschleife and the Nürburgring GP track.
Nürburgring Nordschleife
21km long, 73 corners (though people fight about which kinks and corners to count so there's differing opinions on this)
300m of elevation change throughout the lap
Open to the public almost daily (yes, you can drive your normal road car here, you'll need follow German highway code, no overtaking on the right, left only)
Nürburgring GP Track (F1 track)
5km long
adheres to modern FIA standards
Max actually holds the lap record there: 1:28.139 for his lap in the RB16 at the 2020 Eifel GP
Nürburgring Gesamtstrecke (Combined circuit)
25-27km long depending which version of the GP track is used
a combination of both the Nordschleife and GP track
used for the 24-hour race and the NLS
Famous sections with cutesy names for insane pieces of road:
🎠 Caracciola Karussell (carousel)
a banked turn that’s over 180 degrees around
the banking is very steep
this turn used to be driven on the flat tarmac on the outside until Rudolph Caracciola put two wheels in the ditch and realised he could take the corner much faster that way
Kevin Estre, Nürburgring 24h winner, says you can take the banking 30 to 40km/h faster than the outside line in a GT3 car
drivers will experience about 2G doing that
🦊 Fuchsröhre (fox hole)
The corner is named after a fox that hid in a drainage pipe during construction
one of the fastest and most dangerous parts of the lap because of the extremely high speeds in such a tight and confined place
🤏 Brünnchen (small well)
fan favourite vantage point
two right-hand corners and a very short straight with lots of up and down
this section used to have a sudden drop-off that caused cars to take flight
🪴 Pflanzgarten (plant garden/nursery)
used to be the site of gardens of the Earls of Nürburg
one of the fastest and most difficult sections of the ring and full of jumps
construction workers coined this name because the section looks like a swallow's tail from above
a sequence of very fast sweepers followed by:
Kleines Karussell, which is similar to its big brother carousel, except that it is only a 90-degree corner
during race weekends, the camp site is inside the turn
Sidenote: The Nürburgring is host to a music festival every summer, Rock am Ring. This year the sold out weekend will feature Linkin Park, Papa Roach and Baby Metal.
Funnest fact: You can get married at the ring with sights on the start/finish straight, though all dates for this year are booked up. Kimi, you know what to do
Max Verstappen is back at the Nürburgring: 10 things you need to know about the NLS
by Markus Steinrisser via Motorsport Magazin
Max Verstappen will be back at the Nürburgring in 2026, competing for the overall title. Motorsport-Magazin.com explains what newcomers need to know about the Nordschleife Series (NLS).
Having completed a preliminary programme a few months ago and tested the waters at the Nürburgring, things are now getting serious for Max Verstappen in 2026. He will compete in the famous 24-hour race and, as part of his preparation, will take part in at least one race in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). Motorsport-Magazin.com summarises what you need to know about the series.
What exactly is the NLS? The Nürburgring Endurance Series explained
To start with, let’s clarify the basics. NLS stands for Nürburgring Endurance Series and is exactly what it sounds like: an endurance series that holds races exclusively on the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife. Each of these races lasts four hours, with the exception of one six-hour race (Race 7 on 1 August). The races are always run on the full Nordschleife plus the short link to the modern Grand Prix circuit, with the exception of the two qualifying races for the famous 24-hour race. These also use the full GP circuit.
Is the Nürburgring 24 Hours part of the NLS?
The Nürburgring 24 Hours itself is not, however, part of the NLS calendar. It is a standalone event, which will take place from 14 to 17 May 2026. However, 24 Hours entrants usually use a selection of NLS races to prepare for the endurance classic.
How an NLS race weekend unfolds
Because the NLS sees itself as a grassroots racing series that also aims to give amateur drivers the chance to compete, NLS weekends are very compact. The actual event – that is, the competitive action on the track – is always limited to just one day. The standard format is qualifying from 08:30 to 10:00, a short break, and then the start at 12:00. Almost all events take place on a Saturday.
How many cars compete in the NLS – and how do the classes work?
As already mentioned, the NLS is a mass-participation sport. And because the Nürburgring offers plenty of space, it can accommodate a large number of cars. More than 100 cars per race is normal. Everything is organised into classes so that everyone has similar competition to race against. There are well over 20 classes in which you can enter a car. They cover almost everything: purebred GT3 cars (SP9 class), concepts (SP-X), alternative fuels (AT), right through to production cars modified for the racetrack with less than 190 hp (V3).
Which class is home to the fastest cars in the NLS – and to Max Verstappen?
Anyone who doesn’t just want to battle it out with their NLS classmates, but also has their sights set on overall victory, should, like Max Verstappen, aim for a place in the SP9 class. This is where GT3 race cars are classified, the very same ones used in GT racing all over the world. Verstappen in his Mercedes AMG GT will face off against cars such as the Porsche 911 GT3, BMW M4 GT3, Ferrari 296 GT3 and more.
It’s also worth keeping the SP-X class in mind, at least in the back of your mind. This is where experimental cars are classified that have not yet been generally homologated anywhere and therefore require special permits. These are often just as fast as GT3 prototypes, or crazy custom-built cars. In 2026, for example, you’ll find a BMW M3 Touring estate developed to GT3 specifications, or, from NLS 3 on 11 April, the HWA EVO.R.
What exactly is the infamous ‘Balance of Performance’ (BoP)?
We’re bound to hear the term “Balance of Performance” quite often. Those from the Formula 1 world may never have heard of it. As a wide variety of different designs compete in sports car racing, the regulators attempt to artificially balance the cars against one another through technical measures, so that, on balance, they all deliver similar performance and everyone has a fair chance of winning.
The key adjustment parameters here are weight, fuel tank size, air restrictors, boost pressure, rear wing setup, angle of attack and suspension camber. However, even when, as in the NLS, the cars only race on a single circuit, teams often strive to keep a low profile, particularly in the early races, in order to secure a favourable ‘BoP’ for the 24-hour race. Thus, the ‘BoP’ remains a constant source of controversy.
Every NLS race has not one start – but three
Because the starting grid in the NLS is so large, this also means an unusual starting procedure. The start is always a rolling start. To better organise the field, it is divided into three groups. The fastest classes, with the SP9 GT3 cars at the very front, start at 12:00. They are followed by the medium-speed classes, then the slow classes, staggered by a few minutes.
NLS Safety: Speed limits and Code 60 instead of safety cars and red flags
The length of the Nordschleife means that, when it comes to safety, the NLS has to deal with issues differently from other racing series. For instance, in the event of accidents, broken-down cars and similar incidents, the entire circuit is not immediately neutralised; instead, only the section where the incident occurred is closed. There are two methods: double yellow flags mean a mandatory reduction in speed to 120 km/h. Purple flags mean ‘Code 60’, a limit of 60 km/h.
Outside these zones, the race continues as normal. From time to time, you will inevitably encounter ‘intervention cars’ on the track, heading towards incidents, or even recovery lorries or Unimogs carrying new crash barriers. This is also perfectly normal – these are usually indicated by simple yellow flags, keep to the right, and may be overtaken.
Anyone who disregards the speed limits here is punished very harshly, very quickly. Exceeding the limit by less than 15 km/h already results in a 45-second stop-and-go penalty. Anyone driving more than 65 km/h over the limit will have their Nordschleife permit immediately revoked, which is mandatory for starting on the track. Consequently, that driver is no longer allowed back in the car for the remainder of the race.
How many cars are there in a garage at the NLS?
With over 100 cars, it’s no surprise that the garages here aren’t like those in ‘normal’ racing series. To accommodate them all, up to six cars have to share a garage. The allocation is usually done by team where possible, or so that different classes are in the same garage. This is to prevent everyone from being in the pits at the same time.
The basics of pit stop rules in the NLS
Pit stops themselves are no simple matter in the NLS, and are quite unique in modern motorsport. First of all, refuelling takes place at extremely conventional fuel pumps in the pit lane. And at first glance, the choreography looks unusual and inefficient: nobody is in a hurry, and the mechanics often turn the cars into different positions in a very relaxed manner.
The background: to prevent stress and hazards, there is a complex set of regulations governing minimum pit stop times, i.e. from the entry line to the exit line. The minimum generally depends on how many laps were driven in the previous stint. Anyone wishing to read the exact table of times for the SP9 class can do so here. To illustrate this using typical GT3 stint lengths: anyone stopping after 6 laps must take 154 seconds. After 8 laps, it’s already 194.
So, anyone who pits earlier spends less time in the pits and can therefore gain positions on the track in the short term, which can sometimes shake up the standings during the race. To keep things fair, however, the system is reversed from 69 minutes before the end of the race. From then on, the minimum is determined by the remaining race time and is reduced by a few seconds with every passing minute. Cars that stopped earlier before this point therefore lose their advantage again.
2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours: Yet another new qualifying format
There have been some changes made to qualifying this year. As there's so many classes and 150 cars on the road, different classes will qualify in separate sessions. Qualifying 1, 2, 3 are for lower powered cars.
A new feature this year is that the most powerful cars (SP9, SP11, AT1, SP-Pro and SP-X) are all automatically qualified for the Top Qualifying for the first time. These are the cars that will fight for pole and the best starting positions.
Top qualifying, from this year onwards, is divided into three segments similar to Formula 1: Top Q1, Top Q2 and, finally, Top Q3. Sequence is as follows:
Top Q1: All GT3 cars + SP11, AT1, SP-Pro and SP-X automatically qualify
Top Q2: The 20 fastest cars from Top Q1 progress
Top Q3: 12 cars (the 6 fastest from Top Q2 and 6 pre-qualified cars) battle for pole position
Previously, some places in the Top Qualifying were still allocated based on the combined best times from Qualifying 1 and 2 – this will no longer apply in 2026.
As a result, the ("normal") qualifying sessions (1, 2 and 3) will now only be relevant for the starting positions of the less powerful cars. Faster ones will use them as free practice.
In the three stages of Top Qualifying, a driver from a team may compete in no more than one session (Top Q1, Top Q2 or Top Q3). For example, Formula 1 star Verstappen would therefore not be allowed to drive the entire Top Qualifying session alone in his Winward Mercedes. Two of his three team-mates (Gounon, Juncadella, Auer) must also take the wheel during the time trial. However, this rule applies only to Pro-class GT3 cars; all other vehicles (Pro-Am, Am) are free to choose their drivers.
Top Q3 Qualifying: Six places already allocated in advance
Teams can secure a guaranteed place in the top Q3 even before the race weekend begins. This has been the case in the past. Six places in the top Q3 can be secured either through strong performances in the NLS races or in the 24h Qualifiers (17–19 April 2026).
Here’s how it works: In the NLS races, one grid position is awarded to the overall fastest driver across all qualifying sessions, and two positions to the fastest drivers in the races, with all sector times being combined to calculate theoretical best-lap times. As part of the 24h Qualifiers, a further top Q3 grid position is awarded to the team with the fastest lap time from both the standard qualifying and the top qualifying sessions.* One further starting position each goes to the participants with the theoretically fastest race lap time in the two Qualifiers races of the weekend.
Conversely, this means that if six cars secure a place in Top Q3 in advance, only six further Q3 places will be awarded in the Top Qualifiers (Top Q1, Top Q2) at the 24-hour race.
By the way, in the 53 24h races held to date, the polesitter has managed to convert pole position into overall victory on only eleven occasions – most recently in 2008, when the Manthey Porsche team from Meuspath achieved this feat.
The only motorsport I've followed is f1 and now I'm inclined to more just follow max wherever he goes
Oh of course, let's hold hands and learn together.
As a starting point, I shared this very helpful primer that a German outlet wrote up just this morning for the basics. It's written by their F1 editor and explains everything in F1 terms.
I put together a bit of a fun fact post about the ring, NLS and the F1 history of the track here.
As for this weekend, it's part of the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS), which is the endurance race series exclusive to the Nürburgring. It's separate from the 24h race that Max will be taking part in this May but 24h entrants usually use a selection of NLS races to prepare it. And that's exactly what Max and his team are doing.
I recommend watching some highlights from previous races. Start with Max and Lully's win last year at NLS9. (It's German comms but they have English auto subs if you need em or just watch them go vroom).
And watch last year's 24h highlights for absolute scenes from the Grello team and Kevin Estre.
For this weekend, check this post for quali and race times as well as links to watch for FREE (just watch out they're CET!).
Hi! We're thinking of going to next year's nbr24, do you have any tips? We're hesitating between going by car (12h drive oops) or going by plane + renting a car, how much is it preferable to camp at the ring rather than stay somewhere close by? Anything you think is necessary to bring? Thanks :)
Hiiiii omg fun! Can recommend for sure. 12h drive is a lot so maybe renting a car will be the easier option but it will obviously depend on your budget. I would recommend being well rested ahead of Saturday so whatever gets you there is what I would suggest.
I think camping is the way to go but the main camping grounds were fully booked out really early this year (and i mean Monday morning the week of) with all the power outlet slots gone so keep that in mind. Loads of people just slept in their car a night or two so you could do that but i imagine it would be cold af. It was 3C the night before the race.... (When we arrived on track there was a lot of very sleepy people crawling out there cars, waking up, brushing their teeth etc)
We opted to go for a hotel quite a bit away cause i'm a Weichei and need warm blanky, a shower and reliable wifi after a day in the Eifel. Hotels around the Ring book out a year in advance so I would look now if you want something closer.
Just note that it was cold as balls, rained, hailed and sunshined all within one hour so bring warm clothing, preferably a long winter puffer, scarf, hat and gloves cause sitting on the grandstands gets COLD quick. People had blankets and sleeping bags too to keep warm. Bring something waterproof too. A powerbank. Snacks and drinks cause buying it all there adds up quick and queues get long real fast. I waited 30 minutes to buy some drinks under the main grandstands on Saturday. I would also say arrive before 8, preferably around 6 on race day because traffic got truly crazy and the parking lots filled up very quickly so we still had to walk half an hour to the GP track to avoid the muddy sludge on the main parking slots A, B and C. Bring cash! You'll need it for your parking ticket. At least we did for ours. Download the spotters guide cause it's fun to do and to identify the cars mid race. Come up with a gameplan for where you want to be for the start/do you want to go on the grid during formation etc cause it takes time to move around with hundreds of thousands of people there. They closed the main straight grandstands around 11am this weekend so you would've had to sit for 4+ hours to the start (thanks Max 😭). We brought 3 Redbulls and it still didn't feel like enough, do with that what you will haha. Oh also bring some disinfectant/wipes, just in case with the dixiklo portapotty
