Verstappen Expands Racing Ambitions with Nürburgring 24 Hours Entry: Which Other F1 Stars Have Raced Outside Formula 1?

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is set to take on one of motorsport’s most demanding endurance challenges in 2026. The Dutch superstar has confirmed he’ll compete in the legendary Nürburgring 24 Hours, stepping outside the Formula 1 paddock to tackle the historic German race in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 machine.

The move marks another example of elite Formula 1 drivers exploring racing disciplines beyond the Grand Prix grid. While modern F1 calendars are packed with races and commitments, some drivers still seek additional challenges in endurance racing, rallying, or American open-wheel competition. Verstappen’s decision highlights that tradition and adds major star power to one of the world’s most iconic endurance events.

Dream Entry at “Green Hell”

Verstappen will make his debut at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, scheduled for May 14–17, 2026, at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany.

Often nicknamed the “Green Hell,” the Nordschleife is widely considered one of the most challenging circuits in motorsport. Stretching more than 20 kilometers, the track features over 150 corners, dramatic elevation changes, and limited runoff areas. When combined with the modern Grand Prix circuit for the endurance event, the full layout creates an unforgiving test of speed, consistency, and reliability.

Drivers must deal with unpredictable weather, heavy traffic from multiple classes of cars, and the mental strain of racing through the night. It’s precisely these factors that make the race so appealing to elite drivers looking to prove their versatility.

Verstappen has spoken in the past about his fascination with the Nürburgring and the unique challenge it presents, saying that “the Nürburgring is a special place. There’s no other track like it. The 24h Nurburgring is a race that’s been on my bucket list for a long time, so I’m really thrilled we can make it happen now.”

Mercedes Partnership and Strong Driver Line-Up

For the race, Verstappen will drive a Mercedes-AMG GT3 entered by his own Verstappen Racing project in collaboration with the Mercedes customer squad Winward Racing. The car will carry the number “3,” the same number that Verstappen uses in Formula 1, symbolically linking the endurance program to his Grand Prix career.

He’ll share driving duties with an experienced lineup of endurance specialists, including Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Dani Juncadella. All three drivers bring significant GT and endurance racing experience, giving the team a strong foundation heading into the event.

Despite the Mercedes machinery, the car will also feature Red Bull branding, creating an unusual but intriguing partnership that blends Verstappen’s Formula 1 connections with his independent racing project. Such a lineup is expected to be competitive in the GT3 class, which typically includes factory-supported teams and some of the world’s best endurance drivers.

Preparation Through Nürburgring Endurance Series

Before tackling the 24-hour race itself, Verstappen plans to gain additional experience on the Nordschleife by competing in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). These races serve as the primary preparation platform for teams targeting the Nürburgring 24 Hours. They allow drivers to become familiar with the circuit’s unique characteristics while competing in realistic race conditions.

One of Verstappen’s scheduled appearances is in the NLS2 race in March, which will provide valuable track time ahead of the main event. The preparation is particularly important because drivers must obtain a special Nordschleife racing permit to compete in the endurance classic. Verstappen secured the required license in 2025, even winning an NLS race during the process.

Balancing the Nürburgring program with the Formula 1 calendar will require careful planning, but the schedule allows Verstappen to participate without missing any Grand Prix races.

Famous F1 Drivers Who Competed in Other Motorsport Disciplines

Verstappen’s Nürburgring entry might seem unusual at first glance, but history shows that many Formula 1 legends have tested themselves in other forms of motorsport.

One of the most prominent examples is Fernando Alonso, who pursued motorsport’s famous “Triple Crown” by competing in endurance racing and American open-wheel competition. Alonso won the Le Mans 24 Hours twice and the Daytona 24 Hours, while also attempting the Indianapolis 500 several times.

Another iconic crossover story belongs to Nigel Mansell. After winning the 1992 Formula 1 World Championship, the Britt moved to the American CART IndyCar Series and immediately won the 1993 championship, becoming the only driver to hold the F1 and IndyCar titles simultaneously.

In earlier decades, cross-disciplinary racing was even more common. Two-time F1 champion Jim Clark famously won the 1965 Indianapolis 500, a victory that helped revolutionize American open-wheel racing by demonstrating the superiority of rear-engine cars.

More recently, Juan Pablo Montoya built one of the most versatile careers in motorsport history. The Colombian driver won races in Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, and endurance racing, including two Indianapolis 500 victories and multiple endurance racing successes.

Even Kimi Räikkönen briefly stepped away from Formula 1 to compete in the World Rally Championship and later tried his hand at NASCAR, showing that F1 drivers often look for new challenges once they reach the pinnacle of single-seater racing.

Verstappen’s Nürburgring venture, therefore, follows a long tradition of elite drivers stepping outside Formula 1 to test their skills in completely different racing environments.

What Verstappen’s Move Means for Motorsport Fans

Verstappen’s participation immediately elevates the global attention surrounding the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The event already attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators each year, but the presence of a reigning Formula 1 superstar adds an entirely new layer of intrigue.

Fans will be able to watch one of the most dominant drivers of the modern era tackle challenges rarely seen in Formula 1: multi-class traffic, night driving, and endurance stints lasting several hours.

The crossover also reflects a broader trend in modern motorsport, where boundaries between disciplines are gradually becoming more flexible. Endurance racing, in particular, has gained popularity among drivers seeking new challenges beyond the Grand Prix calendar.

For enthusiasts who follow racing markets and performance predictions, many fans also compare odds and race markets using curated resources, such as our comprehensive bookie list that tracks platforms offering motorsport betting markets worldwide.

If Verstappen’s Nürburgring project proves competitive, it could mark the beginning of a broader endurance racing chapter in his career—while continuing the long tradition of Formula 1 champions proving their versatility across multiple motorsport disciplines.