Max Verstappen told ‘you can be less aggressive’ as Nurburgring 24 Hours rival asks ‘will he dare?’

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Christopher Haase questions whether Max Verstappen will “dare” to get “aggressive” on his Nurburgring 24 Hours debut, ahead of lining up next to each other on the grid.

Daniel Juncadella sealed Team Verstappen Racing fourth on the grid for the Nurburgring 24 Hours in Friday’s Top Qualifying 3 in their #3 Mercedes GT3 EVO. Verstappen had advanced his team into the final stage of qualifying, before Juncadella posted a fastest lap of 8:12.005.

The Spaniard’s best lap was 0.882 seconds shy of the pole position lap set by Luca Engstler in the #84 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 for a Team ABT front row lock-out. Haase sealed third on the grid with Scherer Sport PHX in the #16 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, 0.861s adrift of pole.

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Christopher Haase thinks Max Verstappen may have to ‘change’ his ‘mentality’ for the N24

Haase is already looking forward to his likely battle with the Team Verstappen Racing crew in this weekend’s Nurburgring 24 Hours. But Haase questions whether Verstappen will need to change his “mentality” for the N24 compared to from their recent battle at the Nurburgring.

READ MORE: How to watch Max Verstappen’s debut in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours

Verstappen produced an “extraordinary” overtake on Haase during their battle for the lead of the NLS5 race at the Nurburgring this April. The Red Bull F1 driver used the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie to get his eye in around the Nordschleife ahead of debuting in the N24.

Haase said, via quotes by Automoto.it: “Perhaps a change of mentality is needed in terms of risk management, especially at the start of the race and during the night.

“This does not mean you should slow down too much. It simply means you can be less aggressive in your driving than in an NLS race.

“It’s a nice feeling [to start near the front]. But, honestly, it does not matter. It gives you a mental boost, but I’ve raced here so many times. I’ve started way back in the past and still managed to do well.”

Christopher Haase thinks Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring teammates can ‘help’ him

While Verstappen is making his Nurburgring 24 Hours debut this weekend, Haase expects to see the four-time F1 champion’s teammates “help” him overcome his lack of experience. He will share driving the #3 Mercedes GT3 EVO with Juncadella, Lucas Auer and Jules Gounon.

Haase added: “Experience is an added value. But I think the level of competition among the top cars is so high that the lack of experience is compensated for by the help of competent people to support him, especially in risk management. I think Max has an effective support system around him.”

Verstappen has impressed Juncadella with his “surprising” traffic management skills around the Nurburgring, which will be a vital element to master during the 24-hour race with more than 160 cars in the race. He also has the chance to win in the Pro category of the SP9 class.