Verstappen has started training at the Nürburgring.

      On Saturday, March 21, Max Verstappen will start the 4-hour race at the legendary Nürburgring circuit. The organizers of the German NLS series (Nürburgring Endurance Series) have specifically moved the second stage to an earlier date so that the four-time world champion can participate in tomorrow's race, which is qualifying for him, i.e., granting him the right to compete in the "24 Hours of Nürburgring."

      Max is driving the Mercedes-AMG GT3 of the Winward Racing team along with three teammates – experienced endurance racing masters Lukas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Dani Juncadella.

      Formally, the 24-hour marathon at Nürburgring is not part of the NLS calendar and is considered a separate race; it is scheduled for May 14-17, 2026. But even for a star of world motorsport like Max Verstappen, no exceptions were made, and to gain entry to the start, he must compete in one of the series stages – however, there is no doubt that he will enjoy it.

      The NLS series has a quite branched structure of categories, as not only professional drivers but also well-prepared amateurs are allowed to participate in the series. But the SP9 class, in which Max competes, is one of the most, if not the most powerful and fastest, as it includes crews in GT3 category cars – these are the Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo, Porsche 911 GT3, BMW M4 GT3, Ferrari 296 GT3, etc.

      There is also a class SP-X in the series, which includes prototypes that have not yet received official homologation, and often they are no less fast than certified GT3 cars. For example, in 2026, there is a specially prepared racing station wagon BMW M3 Touring in the NLS.

      That is, Max Verstappen and his teammates will face competitors driving very serious machinery, but one can assume that this will make the battle on the "Nordschleife" all the more interesting this weekend.

      The start of the NLS races, due to the large number of participants and cars with varying speed capabilities, is given in three waves: at noon local time, the fastest class cars, including SP9, will head out for the race distance. Then, a few minutes later, the medium-powered vehicles will start, followed by the less powerful cars after the same pause.

      But this is preceded by a morning qualification, which will start at 8:30 and last until 10 o'clock. Practice sessions on the Nordschleife are taking place today, and Max and his teammates have already begun preparing for the main events of the weekend.