Mercedes‑AMG has officially requested that the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS) consider moving the season opener to allow Max Verstappen to compete in the prestigious Nürburgring 24 Hours.
The prospect of the current Formula 1 champion driving a Mercedes‑AMG GT3 has already sparked excitement among endurance racing fans and Nordschleife enthusiasts. Mercedes has reportedly secured support from Red Bull leadership, but the main obstacle remains the overlap between the first NLS race, currently scheduled for March 14, and the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix.
Mercedes’ Plan
To resolve this conflict, Mercedes has requested the NLS season opener be postponed to March 21, creating a window that would allow Verstappen to participate in both events. NLS director Mike Jager confirmed the request has been officially received but emphasized that no final decision has been made yet.
Potential Teammates and Preparation
If Verstappen’s participation goes ahead, he could share the cockpit with drivers such as Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Daniel Juncadella, while other lineup details remain under discussion. Meanwhile, the Dutch champion has already been gaining experience in the Mercedes‑AMG GT3 with testing sessions at Portimão, covering both wet and dry conditions.
The final decision on the NLS calendar adjustment is expected in the coming days, but the announcement alone has generated significant anticipation among motorsport and endurance racing fans alike.