Max Verstappen’s participation in the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours has been confirmed. The news remains unofficial, but the source is as official as it gets – Helmut Marko, head of Red Bull’s driver development programme and consultant to the F1 team.

During an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF at the Azerbaijan GP, Marko let slip: ‘From our side, it’s confirmed. And I believe from his side as well. But let’s see what else happens. That’s the way it is with him … he’s already driven thousands of laps in the simulator.’

The four-time world champion has made no secret of his plans to go endurance racing during breaks in the F1 calendar. And while his fellow F1 drivers took advantage of the weekend off between Monza and Baku, Verstappen headed to the Nürburgring to make his competitive debut in the 65th ADAC ACAS Cup. The Dutchman entered as a requirement to earn his DMSB A-licence, completing a 14-lap stint in Lionspeed GP’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS.

Round seven of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie – or NLS for short – was a four-hour race open to a wide variety of classes, from the king of the hill GT3 cars to touring cars, production vehicles and prototypes, further divided by engine displacement. The licensing procedure is equally complex, demanding Verstappen qualify for a DMSB B-licence first, which involved a mandatory training session and exam on the Friday morning before the race proper on Saturday.

Owing to his Permit B status, the Cayman had to be detuned by 125bhp, leaving him well down on power compared to the main GT3 entries and the Ferrari 296 GT3 he’s been spied testing in, under the pseudonym Franz Hermann. Nevertheless, Verstappen qualified sixth with a time of 10:21.591 – 15 seconds off the leading Sorg Rennsport GT3, but tellingly, 25 seconds faster than the next Permit B entrant.

Verstappen maintained the pace during his stint, his 9:01.4 fastest lap remaining the quickest of his teammates, but a lengthy pit stop knocked them from early contention to an eventual seventh in class.

In order to gain the A-licence, a driver must complete two race stints to prove their competence. Verstappen aimed to exploit the ‘two-car rule’ by hopping into Lionspeed’s other GT4, however technical problems sidelined the second Porsche.

The rules state each drive must be more than 20 per cent of the race length. But thanks to his extended 14-lap stint, the DMSB committee acknowledged Verstappen had demonstrated the composure and pace required for GT3 competition and granted the A-licence, paving the way for 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours entry.

Cynics might say Verstappen has benefitted from special treatment, with the two-stage licensing system receiving criticism as a cash cow for the NLS organisers. There can be no doubt Verstappen’s presence will provide GT racing with a significant boost, with millions of F1 fans potentially tuning in. Fernando Alonso’s Le Mans debut generated enormous interest despite Toyota facing no meaningful competition, and Verstappen taking on the N24’s multi-class chaos should prove even more compelling.

Many veteran drivers, however, have come out in support, saying the process has significantly improved track etiquette during races. Regardless, Verstappen was delighted with his experience: ‘Every lap at the Nordschleife is a different kind of experience. The atmosphere is also really good and there are a lot of endurance fans present. It’s my hobby to race in other categories than Formula 1. My dream is to eventually participate in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.’

The stars are certainly aligning, with the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours falling during Formula One’s three-week gap between Miami and Canada. Why no Le Mans? Frustratingly, it clashes with the Spanish GP. Further afield, Verstappen has namechecked Daytona and Spa as other endurance races he has an eye on.

With Formula One drivers being more valuable than ever, and facing an increasingly packed schedule, Verstappen’s commitment is refreshing. And despite the dangers of the Nordschleife, Red Bull are smart enough to acknowledge a bored Verstappen is more detrimental than one shackled to F1.

Helmut Marko is likely a driving force behind the decision, being a former F1 driver and winner of Le Mans 24 Hours. Naturally, he is supportive of Verstappen’s plans: ‘I think it’s fantastic that someone who is still active in Formula One is doing this. The others who moved into endurance racing had all already left their F1 commitments behind.

‘He’s preparing meticulously, but also with joy.’ Marko continued: ‘The enthusiasm with which he’s doing it shows that for him, racing truly is everything. And the way he takes on these bureaucratic hurdles in Germany with such composure – he’s sure to prepare himself extremely well. And in the 24 Hours, he will certainly be a factor in the fight for victory.’

For those who cannot wait until next May, Verstappen will be making his GT3 debut in the ninth round of the NLS this coming weekend, driving Emil Frey Racing’s Ferrari 296 GT3.