24 Hours of Nürburgring changes regulations ahead of Max Verstappen debut

Max Verstappen will make his long-awaited debut at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring next month, as the four-time world champion prepares to tackle one of motorsport's most demanding endurance challenges.

The Red Bull driver will pilot a Mercedes GT3 alongside Jules Gounon, Dani Juncadella and Lucas Auer as the quartet hunt for victory on the fearsome Nordschleife, where Verstappen has already completed several preparatory races.

The 28-year-old Dutchman's participation comes as organisers announce sweeping changes to the event's regulations for 2026, with a complete overhaul of the qualifying format taking centre stage.

New qualifying format

The most significant alteration concerns qualifying procedures. Gone are the two-session time trial formats used until 2025, replaced by a system that closely mirrors Formula 1's structure.

The Nordschleife will now divide qualifying into Top-Q1, Top-Q2 and Top-Q3, with the premier classes in the field, including Verstappen's squad, eligible to participate in the top-tier sessions.

A maximum of six cars can secure starting positions in Top-Q3 through pre-event qualification. This innovative system will utilise results from the opening three NLS races and April's 24h Nürburgring Qualifier to determine advancement.

In NLS competition, one starting place will be awarded to the quickest driver across all qualifying sessions, with two additional spots reserved for the fastest performers in race conditions. The Qualifier will contribute one position for the team posting the fastest lap time across both regular qualifying and Top Qualifying for pole position, while participants achieving the quickest race laps from both encounters will also secure advancement.

The six-car field reaches completion during Friday's qualifying at the 24 Hours weekend. Top-Q1 will feature all starting-qualified machines not yet through to Top-Q3, with already-qualified cars permitted but not required to participate out of competition.

Twenty cars will progress from the opening session to Top-Q2, where they compete in individual time trial segments for Top-Q3 spots. Both sessions run for 35 minutes before a maximum of twelve cars battle for pole position in the final qualifying phase.

Light panels for better visibility

Traditional marshal flag signals will receive technological support as light panels are introduced for daytime use, extending beyond their current evening deployment when darkness falls.

Nürburgring 24 Hours race director Walter Hornung explains the changes: "We opted for the new format because we wanted to make the process more understandable and transparent for the fans."

Starting in 2026, 28 display panels will be installed around the Nordschleife with eight additional units on the GP circuit. These panels will supplement rather than replace marshal flag signals, which retain precedence.

"We tested this system during the second NLS race in 2026. It was very well received by the drivers and track marshals who have to work with it," Hornung said.

Maximum of 150 teams

The Nordschleife's 150-team participation limit, a long-standing regulation rarely tested in recent years, has been reached for 2026 due to exceptional interest levels.

With demand exceeding capacity, organisers have implemented an evaluation and selection process following the registration deadline. This assessment considers class balance alongside the technical and sporting quality of teams and vehicles, reflecting the race's diverse appeal spanning production cars to high-performance GT3 machinery.

A replacement procedure exists should accepted teams withdraw, with previously ineligible entrants filling vacant positions.

The 54th edition of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring begins at 3:00 PM local time on Saturday, 16 May 2026, with qualifying sessions scheduled for 18-19 April.