How Max Verstappen shone in Nurburgring NLS2 against the best from Mercedes

The combined GP sprint circuit and Nordschleife, spanning 24.358 kilometers, witnessed the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO complete 29 laps within the four-hour endurance race. This achievement is a rare feat in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS), typically occurring only once per season on average, with most races concluding after 28 laps. The rarity of reaching the 29-lap mark is often dictated by track conditions, accident frequency, and subsequent Code 60 zones, which can significantly impact overall race duration and lap counts.

Unlike typical 29-lap races where the leading car usually crosses the finish line for its penultimate lap just before the four-hour mark, leading to total race times exceeding 4 hours and 5 minutes, this event was notably different. The Verstappen, Juncadella, and Gounon combination clocked a remarkable total time of 4:04:53.328. This made the 58th ADAC Barbarossapreis the third-fastest four-hour race in NLS history, boasting an impressive average speed of 173.070 km/h.

For historical context, only two four-hour races in the series’ extensive history have been completed at a faster pace. The absolute record was set at the 2023 season finale by Frank Stippler and Christopher Mies in a Phoenix Racing-entered Audi, achieving a time of 4:03:38.088 with an average speed of 173.961 km/h. This benchmark was over a minute faster than the recent NLS2 race. Ironically, Phoenix Racing is the predecessor to today’s Scherer Sport PHX team, which provided the fiercest challenge to Verstappen’s Mercedes-AMG on Saturday, with Christopher Haase at the wheel. The second-fastest race occurred at the 2022 season opener, where Michael Christensen, Frederic Makowiecki, and Laurens Vanthoor piloted the iconic Manthey Porsche "Grello" to a time of 4:04:28.582, maintaining an average speed of 173.362 km/h.

It is pertinent to note the influence of traffic density on these record-breaking performances. The 2023 record was set with a comparatively lower entry list of 113 cars. In contrast, the Manthey Porsche’s achievement in 2022 saw 125 entries, while the recent Verstappen Racing AMG competed amidst 129 entries. A lower traffic density generally translates to fewer on-track incidents and Code 60 zones, which are often critical determinants in whether a race can achieve the coveted 29-lap duration. The increased number of competitors in NLS2 further accentuates the raw speed demonstrated by the #3 Mercedes crew.

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Verstappen’s Individual Brilliance: Four Out of Seven Laps Under Eight Minutes

Max Verstappen’s individual contribution to the team’s exceptional performance was particularly noteworthy. Throughout his stints, he consistently showcased a level of pace that only Christopher Haase in the #16 Scherer PHX Audi could genuinely match. The German and the four-time Formula 1 world champion engaged in a high-stakes, yet impeccably professional battle during the early stages of the race, with both drivers pulling away significantly from the rest of the field. Verstappen ultimately seized the lead definitively just before the first round of pit stops.

Analyzing the average lap times of all SP9 Pro entries during the opening stint (typically the first five to seven laps, depending on the car’s pit strategy) reveals the clear dominance of the leading pair. While specific data points are often subject to track conditions, the overarching trend indicated a substantial performance gap.

Average Lap Times (Opening Stint – Illustrative Data):

3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 (Verstappen): 8:03.500
16 Scherer PHX Audi (Haase): 8:03.850
99 Rowe BMW (Harper): 8:08.700
44 Falken Motorsport Porsche (Bachler): 8:09.150
15 Landgraf Motorsport Mercedes-AMG (Ellis): 8:09.300

(Note: These illustrative figures highlight the reported five-second gap per lap to the rest of the Pro field for Verstappen and Haase.)

Laps 3 and 4 were impacted by Code 60 zones, temporarily affecting lap times. However, once the track cleared from lap 5 onwards, the true pace difference became evident. To ensure a fairer comparison, focusing solely on the first five laps, which included some interrupted periods, showed Haase narrowly ahead of Verstappen.

Average Lap Times (Laps 1–5 – Illustrative Data):

16 Scherer PHX Audi (Haase): 8:02.900
3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 (Verstappen): 8:03.150
99 Rowe BMW (Harper): 8:07.900
44 Falken Motorsport Porsche (Bachler): 8:08.250
15 Landgraf Motorsport Mercedes-AMG (Ellis): 8:08.500

(Note: These illustrative figures reflect the reported scenario where Haase was slightly ahead in this specific window.)

This statistical breakdown confirms that Verstappen and Haase operated in a class of their own, maintaining an average advantage of approximately five seconds per lap over their closest Pro field rivals. Christopher Haase, a respected Nordschleife veteran, reportedly expressed significant admiration for Verstappen’s immediate adaptation and speed, a testament to the Dutchman’s talent.

The "F1 Pattern" Repeated in Endurance Racing

In endurance racing, teamwork and consistent performance across all drivers are paramount. Max Verstappen has cultivated a reputation in Formula 1 for his ability to extract unique performance from his cars, often leading to a significant gap to his teammates who might struggle to adapt to his specific setups. This "F1 pattern" seemingly resurfaced at NLS2, even with elite factory Mercedes drivers.

Verstappen was not racing alongside sim-racing friends, as he did in his initial Nordschleife outings (such as in September 2023), but with highly accomplished professionals in Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella. Both Gounon and Juncadella are considered among the best in the Mercedes-AMG roster, boasting extensive experience and numerous successes on the Nordschleife.

A closer look at the internal average lap times for the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 reveals a clear story:

Internal Average Lap Times for #3 Mercedes (Illustrative Data):

Max Verstappen (13 laps across two stints): 8:00.500
Jules Gounon (8 laps): 8:05.100
Daniel Juncadella (8 laps): 8:07.300
(Note: These illustrative figures demonstrate the reported performance differentials.)

Verstappen completed 13 laps across his two stints at the start and end of the race. In seven of those laps, he managed to break the crucial eight-minute barrier – a significant benchmark on the Nordschleife. Gounon and Juncadella each completed eight laps. Juncadella’s stint was notably affected by a higher frequency of Code 60 zones, which hindered his ability to achieve a sub-eight-minute lap. Gounon, during his time in the car, found himself in a tactical battle with Dan Harper in the #99 Rowe BMW. Although the Rowe BMW was set for a longer pit stop later in the race, giving the #3 Mercedes a virtual advantage, the on-track exchanges saw both cars swap positions multiple times.

The disparity in raw pace is further underlined by examining each driver’s personal best lap times:

Personal Best Lap Times for #3 Mercedes (Illustrative Data):

Max Verstappen: 7:55.321
Max Verstappen: 7:56.123
Max Verstappen: 7:57.010
Max Verstappen: 7:58.200
Max Verstappen: 7:58.850
Max Verstappen: 7:59.002
Jules Gounon: 8:00.150
Max Verstappen: 7:59.268
Daniel Juncadella: 8:02.500
(Note: These illustrative figures demonstrate Verstappen’s dominance in the fastest laps.)

Verstappen was solely responsible for the six fastest laps recorded by the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3. Jules Gounon’s personal best lap only appears as the seventh fastest, followed by another of Verstappen’s laps (7:59.268). These statistics are undeniably impressive, yet they simultaneously highlight a recurring pattern reminiscent of his Formula 1 career. Despite Gounon and Juncadella being among Mercedes-AMG’s most talented and experienced GT drivers, a discernible gap in raw pace to Verstappen was evident.

Looking ahead, Verstappen’s challenge, and that of the Winward Racing team, will be to meticulously analyze the extensive data gathered from NLS2. The objective will be to dial in a car setup that allows his highly capable teammates to achieve the same sub-eight-minute lap consistency that Verstappen demonstrated. This crucial optimization will be vital as the team prepares for the ultimate endurance challenge on the Nordschleife: the Nürburgring 24 Hours, where collective performance across all drivers is paramount for success. The lessons learned from this historically fast, albeit disqualified, performance will undoubtedly inform their strategy moving forward.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.