24 Hours of Nurburgring champion delivers insight: 'Everything goes upside down'

The 24 Hours of Nurburgring is undoubtedly one of the toughest races in the world due to the gruelling nature of the circuit.

The 2026 edition is just around the corner, and a month earlier than usual. Kelvin van der Linde is entering the round as the reigning champion, but the quest to pick up another victory will be far from easy.

The competition is tougher than ever, and the conditions are more erratic than we have seen in years.

Although Van der Linde got to climb the top step of the podium last year, he knows that past results on the Nordschleife are no guarantee of future success.

"It will be extremely difficult to take that fourth win this year," he exclusively told RacingNews365. 

"As defending champions, all eyes are on us during the preparation races. We have had to look hard for ways to improve our package, because although we were very fast last year, the others have found the connection."

In particular, the advanced date on the calendar is causing headaches for the BMW driver. 

"The fact that we race in May instead of June significantly increases the chance of rain. And let's be honest: that is not directly to the BMW's advantage.”

Van der Linde is known as a specialist in the rain, but he himself remains level-headed about it.

"I have driven great races in the wet, but that was always in an Audi. The Audi and the Porsche are naturally very strong in the rain. Whether it's my talent or the car? Probably the combination," he laughs.

But one of the biggest challenges for this year's edition is the brand new Michelin tyres that have been introduced for wet weather conditions.

"Those new tyres have not yet been tested enough in the rain. Making the right choice at the right time will be crucial,” Van der Linde commented.

“On the Nordschleife, a wrong tyre choice is five times more painful than in Formula 1. If you're on the wrong tyre there, you immediately lose two to three minutes on an eight-minute lap. One wrong decision can ruin your whole race."

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Verstappen as one of the favorites

Of course, one of the biggest reasons the race is getting so much attention this year is the entry of Max Verstappen. 

Having already shown strong speed during his various outings around the Nordschleife so far, he is undoubtedly one of the favourites ahead of the race.

"Mercedes looks very strong with Max, and Porsche is always an iconic force at the top as well," Van der Linde conceded. 

"Still, F1 fans watching for the first time now should not rely solely on the results of qualifying or the preparation races. 

“The Nürburgring 24 Hours turns everything upside down. People who were at the front now don't necessarily have to be in the 24 Hours as well."

Van der Linde himself finished fifth in the qualifiers - but despite being two minutes behind the leader in the final preparation race, he is unbothered ahead of the real thing.

“On pure speed, the manufacturers and the top drivers hardly differ. It's all about who survives the 24 hours.

“On behalf of Mercedes, I expect Max to be at the front anyway. Ferrari had a lot of bad luck in preparation, but has the speed and many cars that were in the shadows now will suddenly be lightning fast on race day.

"BMW always finds a way to compete when it really matters. Whether that will be enough for that coveted fourth victory? That depends on the Eifel gods, the right tyre choice and who keeps their cool when visibility goes to zero."