The four-time Formula 1 World Champion caused a sensation this weekend at the Nürburgring. Behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, Max Verstappen crushed the competition before an administrative error ruined the celebration. A recap of a wild weekend in the "Green Hell".
The image was certainly surprising. Seeing Max Verstappen, the star of Red Bull Racing, proudly sporting the colors of Mercedes-AMG. This weekend of March 21, 2026, the Dutch driver temporarily left his Formula 1 car to tackle one of the most challenging circuits in the world: the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife, aptly nicknamed the "Green Hell".
Competing in the second round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS2), a four-hour endurance race, Verstappen proved once again that his talent goes far beyond formula cars. But the story of this weekend is as much about total dominance as it is about an incredible blunder.
A Show of Force in GT3
The tone was set right from qualifying. Under the banner of Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing (with the number #3), Max secured pole position with disconcerting ease. For his first real foray into GT3 competition, he teamed up with two giants of the discipline: AMG factory drivers Dani Juncadella and Frenchman Jules Gounon.
The race itself turned into a true demonstration. From the start, Verstappen set a blistering pace, widening the gap with surgical precision. His stints were described by observers on-site as a "masterclass". After four hours of racing, the trio crossed the finish line with a massive lead of about one minute over the nearest challengers.
The feeling with the car was incredible from the first laps. The Nordschleife is a merciless track, but the Mercedes-AMG GT3 behaves excellently there.
— Max Verstappen
This performance is all the more remarkable as it comes during a difficult sporting phase for the Dutchman in Formula 1. After a disastrous season start with Red Bull, he currently sits at only eight points in the 2026 World Championship.
The Cold Shower: A Frustrating Disqualification
The joy of victory was short-lived, however. A few hours after the triumph, the team received the devastating news: the #3 car was officially disqualified (DSQ).
An unforgivable administrative error
The reason? An administrative error that seems almost bizarre at this level of competition. The strict NLS regulations state that teams may use a maximum of six sets of tyres during the race. During the post-race inspection, where every tyre is scanned via barcode, the stewards discovered that Verstappen's team had used seven sets of tyres – one too many.
Team Winward Racing, which operated the car, immediately released a statement taking full responsibility for the error:
Unfortunately, an error was made within the team, which forced race control to retroactively disqualify the winning car. It was our internal mistake, and we would like to apologize to Max, Dani, Jules, and all the fans.
— Team Winward Racing
A Warning Shot for the 24 Hours Nürburgring
Despite the bitter disqualification, Verstappen's message is clear: he is ready for endurance racing. This weekend at NLS2 served primarily as a dress rehearsal for his main goal outside of Formula 1: the legendary 24 Hours Nürburgring, taking place from May 14 to 17, 2026.
The Dutchman no longer hides his ambitions. He is actively working on his permanent Nordschleife license and seems to find in GT racing a welcome change from the often stifling Formula 1 paddock.
This (at least on-track) victorious outing with Mercedes-AMG inevitably fuels the rumor mill. While Toto Wolff has never hidden his admiration for the four-time world champion, the sight of a triumphant Verstappen in a car with the star is likely to cause some headaches for the Red Bull leadership.
Conclusion: When Talent Transcends Categories
One thing is certain: whether in Formula 1 or GT3, with or without a tyre penalty – Max Verstappen remains one of the most feared drivers of his generation. The competition for the upcoming 24 Hours Nürburgring is warned.
This weekend at the Nürburgring has shown that Verstappen's exceptional talent doesn't need a formula car to shine. A Mercedes-AMG GT3 is more than enough for him. Even if a simple error in tyre management deprived the world of seeing his name on the official winner's list, the upcoming endurance races will undoubtedly provide us with more memorable moments with the Dutchman at the wheel.
The Nordschleife has definitely not heard the last of Max Verstappen.
