Max Verstappen Receives Unexpected Mercedes Support for Nürburgring 24H 2026 Bid

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Max Verstappen has taken a significant step toward realising his ambition to compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2026, although his plans remain constrained by calendar conflicts. Amid those obstacles, the Max Verstappen camp could receive unexpected backing from Mercedes to help clear a regulatory pathway to the endurance classic.

The twice-around-the-clock Nürburgring enduro is scheduled for 16–17 May 2026, falling between the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix on the Formula 1 calendar. Under Nürburgring regulations, Verstappen must complete at least one Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) race as preparation before being cleared to race the 24-hour event, but all prior NLS rounds clash with Formula 1 commitments.

The situation is complicated further by the opening NLS round of the 2026 season, which coincides with the Chinese Grand Prix on 14–15 March. With Formula 1’s calendar fixed and inflexible, Verstappen currently has no available window to fulfil the mandatory preparation requirement without an adjustment from event organisers.

According to Motorsport Total, that impasse has prompted intervention from Mercedes. Verstappen’s GT3 programme is now partnered with the German manufacturer, and senior Mercedes figures, including Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius and Mercedes Formula 1 team principal Toto Wolff, are reported to have contacted Nürburgring officials to request a postponement of one NLS round.

If approved, such a change would allow Verstappen to complete the required preparation race without compromising his Formula 1 duties with Red Bull Racing, thereby opening the door to his participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

However, no final decision has been taken at this stage. NLS boss Mike Jäger confirmed to Motorsport Total that discussions are ongoing but remain at an early phase.

“The request for a possible postponement has been received, but that’s all for now,” Jäger said.
“We are investigating the possibilities, but nothing has been decided yet. It has to work for everyone.”

Verstappen’s interest underlines the growing appeal of endurance racing among leading Formula 1 drivers and highlights the Nürburgring 24 Hours as a unique cross-discipline challenge. For Verstappen, the event represents an opportunity to expand his competitive profile beyond single-seaters while maintaining full focus on his Formula 1 title ambitions.

With Formula 1 entering a new regulatory era in 2026, any external calendar adjustments require careful coordination. The outcome of these discussions will therefore serve as a broader indicator of how much flexibility can be afforded to elite drivers seeking to compete in non-F1 events without disrupting the championship’s competitive balance.