Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, is lending a helping hand to Max Verstappen’s Nürburgring 24 Hours dream. Verstappen, the four-time F1 world champion, wants to participate in the iconic endurance race, but his schedule is clashing with F1 events. To overcome this hurdle, Wolff has requested the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) to postpone the season opener, scheduled for March 14, which coincides with the Chinese Grand Prix.
The NLS boss, Mike Jager, confirmed receiving the request but hasn’t guaranteed a postponement, stating, “The request for a possible postponement has been received, but nothing more than that. We’re currently looking into it, but nothing has been decided yet. It has to suit everyone” .
Verstappen has been preparing for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, testing a Mercedes-AMG GT3 and accumulating mileage. He’s assembling a team, reportedly including DTM runner-up Lucas Auer, sim racer Chris Lulham, and Mercedes works driver Jules Gounon. This move has sparked speculation about Mercedes’ intentions, with some seeing it as a potential courtship of Verstappen.
The request has raised eyebrows, with fans joking that Mercedes is “rearranging the calendar” for Verstappen. Wolff’s involvement has fueled rumors about Verstappen’s future in F1, despite his contract with Red Bull running until 2028.
Verstappen’s participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours hangs in the balance, pending the NLS decision. If approved, the postponed race would take place between the F1 races in China and Japan.
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