Max Verstappen’s endurance racing hopes receive boost as Mercedes act to resolve schedule ‘conflict’

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Max Verstappen has dreamt of competing in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring for many years now, but scheduling conflicts are making his entry into the 2026 edition of the race ‘very difficult’.

In the midst of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Verstappen stunned the motorsport world by opting to gain his GT3 license at the Nurburgring instead of enjoying time off in between race weekends.

It turned out to be a remarkable run of weekends for the Red Bull star, who would go on to shine at one of the most iconic circuits on the planet while making a resurgence in the F1 title race against Lando Norris.

With a brand new season of racing now upon us, Verstappen has his eye on competing in the biggest event that the 15.7-mile-long Nordschleife has to offer.

However, a clash between his duties as an F1 driver and the scheduling of the 24 Hours of Nurburgring’s qualifying races have proved to be a big issue for the four-time world champion.

• READ MORE: Max Verstappen shares why he wouldn’t drive an F1 car at the Nordschleife after ‘perfect’ GT4 debut

Mercedes have asked NLS organisers to delay the start of the season so Max Verstappen can compete

According to a recent report from Autosprint, Mercedes have taken ‘immediate action’ in hopes of ensuring that Verstappen will be able to take part in the first round of the 2026 Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS).

The endurance racing category kicks off on the 14th of March, the same day that Verstappen will be in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, making his participation at this moment in time impossible.

The second NLS meet will also conflict with Verstappen’s duties at the Japanese Grand Prix. These preparatory races are key to the Dutchman entering the prestigious 24 Hours of Nurburgring, as they serve as qualifiers for the event.

As the supplier of Verstappen’s GT3 racing outfit, Verstappen.com Racing, Mercedes have requested that NLS organisers push the inaugural race of the season back by a week, so that the four-time world champion can participate in between F1 race weekends.

Red Bull have given Verstappen the green light to compete in the iconic race, but it seems like this is the final hurdle that he must get over in order to make his dream a reality.

It is understood that someone of Verstappen’s stature competing in the race would be a win-win situation for the series, given that he is one of the biggest names on the F1 grid.

All that is left for the Dutchman is to await the decision of the organisers, who will need to take into account any logistical worries that the other teams who compete in NLS will have over the move.

• READ MORE: Max Verstappen did something ‘really unusual’ in GT3 racing during his sensational Nurburgring display

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Max Verstappen recently mentioned that he could only race at the Nurburgring if scheduling ‘changes’ were made

During his appearance at Red Bull’s 2026 F1 season launch event in Detroit, Michigan, Verstappen touched upon the barriers that may prevent him from competing in the 24-hour race to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Asked what his dream race would be, the Dutchman said, “I definitely want to race the 24 Hours of Le Mans and all the other iconic endurance races.

“But I want to do it step by step, without rushing, and without realising that the commitments I’ve made, both personally and with my team, are too big to be fulfilled.

“If I do something in motorsport, I don’t want to do it to be present; I want to do it to be competitive. Always.”

Then asked about the likelihood of a drive at the Nurburgring in May, Verstappen replied, “It’s very difficult to give an answer right now.

“I’d like to prepare well, but the preparatory races conflict with Formula 1. So only if something changes will I be able to race this year.”