Max Verstappen team under investigation after disappointing Nordschleife qualifying

The #3 Verstappen Racing car of Max Verstappen and Lucas Auer is under investigation following an incident involving the latter during qualifying ahead of this evening's 24 Hours of Nürburgring Qualifiers race.

Verstappen and Auer will start Saturday evening's race from sixth, following a disappointing session.

Auer drove the #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 first but was unable to set an immediate lap due to a 55-minute red flag.

The #39 Aston Martin crashed early in the session, resulting in significant barrier repairs being required at Adenauer Forst.

Qualifying for this evening's race was extended, with Auer again behind the wheel once green-flag running resumed. When the session resumed, the #23 BMW held the fastest time with an 8:15.1 lap.

Verstappen fails to match Auer

The lap times quickly improved, with Auer's personal best of an 8:13.0 being good enough provisionally for fifth on the grid, 3.5 seconds off the quickest time.

With just under 45 minutes left on the clock, Verstappen replaced Auer behind the wheel but failed to improve on his teammate's best lap.

In addition, Verstappen Racing was placed under investigation following an incident during Auer's stint, where he tapped the #941 Porsche.

By the time the chequered flag waved, the #3 crew had slipped to sixth, with the #23 BMW securing pole, ahead of the #11 Mercedes, #47 Mercedes, #48 Porsche, and #80 Mercedes.

However, a decision from the stewards could worsen Verstappen and Auer's starting position.

UPDATE: Verstappen Racing has received a three-place grid penalty for causing a collision.