Verstappen's return to the Nurburgring is 'definitely' happening.

      Max Verstappen may have missed out on victory at the Nurburgring 24 Hours due to a driveshaft issue, but the Dutchman’s impressive performance has already made a significant impact on the event. Verstappen and his Mercedes-AMG GT3 team seemed set for triumph before a mechanical failure occurred late in the race. However, the four-time Formula 1 world champion expressed his intention to return.

      "Of course, I’m definitely going to try," Verstappen said when asked about the possibility of racing again next year. "It always depends a bit on my schedule."

      The weekend sparked considerable debate within motorsport regarding Verstappen’s notably aggressive GT3 approach, with some speculating whether his constant use of kerbs and intense overtakes played a role in the failure. Teammate Dani Juncadella dismissed that notion. "We were actually driving very carefully in the last few hours," he stated. Fellow teammate Lucas Auer, who is the nephew of F1 legend Gerhard Berger, claimed that heavy kerb usage is simply part of the Nordschleife experience. "That’s how it’s done here," Auer remarked. "It’s about survival."

      What is indisputable is the remarkable impact Verstappen has had on the Nurburgring event itself. For the first time, the race sold out completely, drawing 352,000 spectators over the weekend. "Thanks to Max, there are now many fans who typically only follow Formula 1," said Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing boss Stefan Wendl in an interview with De Telegraaf. "They see that this is a completely different type of motorsport, complete with thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles. They may not be used to that," he added with a smile.

      Wendl also shared how quickly Verstappen transitioned from Ferrari GT equipment last year to Mercedes for 2026. "It makes me, my team, and the whole brand proud that Max has chosen us for the coming years," he noted. "Many people are surprised by how quickly Max adapts to different cars. I’ve gotten past that surprise; I had never seen anyone adapt this quickly before." He continued, "It is already very special that a current Formula 1 driver is going through this program, simply because he enjoys it so much and because racing is his passion."

      Meanwhile, Mercedes seems intent on preventing its other rising star, Kimi Antonelli, from following Verstappen’s Nurburgring route anytime soon. When asked if Antonelli could seek a Nurburgring permit this year, Mercedes’ F1 deputy boss Bradley Lord gave a straightforward reply. "No," he told motorsport-total.com. "I spoke to him about it. I think he was joking. Perhaps he could give it a try once he’s won four championships. Max Verstappen has a bit more experience. Antonelli should focus entirely on Formula 1."