Verstappen surprises everyone at the Nürburgring: the behind-the-scenes story that reveals the real Max

Max Verstappen leaves the Nürburgring without a victory, but with something perhaps even more important: the total respect of the endurance world. The German 24-hour race showed a previously unseen side of the four-time Formula 1 world champion, capable of putting his aggressive instinct aside to become a genuine team man.

Between lightning-fast stints, perfect management of the night and a technical setback that came at the worst possible moment, the Nordschleife weekend produced one of the most interesting stories of the motorsport season. And the behind-the-scenes detail revealed by team-mate Daniel Juncadella helped bring out a different version of the Red Bull champion.

The behind-the-scenes story before the start: Verstappen gives up the first stint

The detail that surprised the paddock concerns the start of the race. Many expected to see Verstappen set off immediately at the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 #3, but that was not the case.

Daniel Juncadella took the start, a choice born directly from a request by the Dutchman. The reason perfectly sums up the approach with which Max tackled the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring.

According to the Spanish driver, Verstappen preferred to avoid the chaos of the opening lap, admitting that he knows his aggressive style well in the early stages of races. A lucid decision, almost counter-intuitive for a driver famous precisely for his ferocity in close combat.

It is a sign of how seriously Verstappen has taken the endurance world. In a 24-hour race, you do not need to win at the first corner: what matters is preserving the car, avoiding unnecessary risks and building the result over the long term.

A mindset that impressed the Mercedes-AMG men themselves.

Verstappen devastating in the Nordschleife night

When he got in the car, however, Verstappen immediately showed all his potential. His night stints were among the most impressive moments of the entire race.

At the Nürburgring Nordschleife, one of the most difficult and dangerous circuits in world motorsport, the Dutchman drove with disarming naturalness. Very high pace, traffic managed without mistakes and clean but aggressive overtakes quickly turned the Mercedes #3 into one of the cars to beat.

His team-mates were also struck by the speed with which Verstappen adapted to GT dynamics. Juncadella explained how the world champion brought an almost “Formula 1-style” approach to the pits, contributing technical feedback and details on driving that helped the whole team.

The Nürburgring crowd, who turned out in force to see the Dutch phenomenon up close, witnessed a performance that once again confirmed Verstappen’s versatility.

The technical setback that kills the victory dream

For much of the race, the line-up of Verstappen, Juncadella, Maro Engel and Lucas Auer had given the impression that they could control the race. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 #3 seemed to have the pace, strategy and reliability to go all the way.

Then, suddenly, everything changed.

After a stint by Verstappen, the car began to show technical problems immediately after Juncadella took over at the wheel. At first the team suspected an ABS malfunction, but within a few laps the situation deteriorated.

The vibrations quickly increased to the point of making driving almost impossible. Shortly afterwards came the definitive diagnosis: driveshaft failure and heavy damage to the rear transmission.

The very long pit stop wiped out any chance of victory.

Huge disappointment, but the Nürburgring crowns Verstappen

The atmosphere in the Mercedes-AMG pits was inevitably heavy. Verstappen knew he had a great opportunity in his hands and the technical problem left plenty of bitterness.

And yet, despite the disappointing ending, the Nürburgring weekend probably strengthened the Dutchman’s reputation even further. The endurance paddock discovered a different Verstappen: very fast, of course, but also methodical, collaborative and incredibly mature in race management.

His presence also had a huge media impact. The 2026 edition of the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring was one of the most followed in recent years and much of the attention was focused precisely on the Red Bull champion.

Many insiders are convinced that this experience will not remain an isolated one.

Verstappen and the future in GT racing: simple passion or a concrete project?

For some time now Verstappen has spoken openly about his love for sim racing and endurance competition. The Nürburgring has always been one of his favourite circuits and his debut in the 24 Hours inevitably fuelled talk about the future.

The feeling he showed with the GT3 and the immediate impact he had within the team suggest that, once his Formula 1 adventure is over, Verstappen could really build himself a second career in endurance racing.

For now, what remains is the memory of an intense, spectacular and meaningful weekend. A race that did not deliver victory, but which told a new side of the world champion.

Perhaps the most surprising of all.