Max Verstappen cleared a crucial hurdle in his N\u00fcrburgring 24 Hours debut, delivering an eye-catching Qualifying 1 performance to secure his place in the event.<\/p>\n
The #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 \u2013 operated by Winward Racing \u2013 ended Q1 in third place, its fastest time of a 8:18.539 set by Verstappen<\/a>, a lap which stood as a challenging benchmark. The sister #80 Mercedes set the ultimate pace, while a frightening collision early in the session was placed under investigation.<\/p>\n Max Verstappen impresses in N\u00fcrburgring 24 Hours Qualifying 1<\/p>\n Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n All drivers entered for a car must complete a minimum of two timed laps across Qualifying 1, 2 or 3. This requirement applies on a per-driver basis. Therefore, if a driver is entered in two different cars, they must complete the minimum mileage in both entries.<\/p>\n Full Qualifying 1 results and classification are available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every car must set a lap time within 120 per cent of the fastest time recorded in its respective class to be eligible for the race itself.<\/p>\n Verstappen was quickly out on track in the #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo as the light went green for the two-hour session.<\/p>\n Verstappen\u2019s first timed lap was a 9:11.649.<\/p>\n There were early issues for the #24 Porsche 911 GT3 R Lionspeed GP car, which had found the barrier with Ricardo Feller at the wheel, triggering the first Code 60 of the session.<\/p>\n Verstappen was navigating a second timed lap as an incident sent hearts into mouths.<\/p>\n Porsche \ud83d\udca5 Porsche<\/p>\n Q1 \ud83d\udcfa https:\/\/t.co\/HmPGqAUV4C<\/a>#IGTC<\/a> | #24hNBR<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vp9BJZ2OCj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Intercontinental GT Challenge (@IntercontGTC) May 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Out on track, the stricken, smoking #900 Black Falcon Team Zimmermann Porsche was struck from behind, while the driver stood at the edge of the track, sending a wheel and debris flying.<\/p>\n To the relief of everyone, the driver was unharmed in what was a scary incident. The same was true for the driver at the wheel of the #146 Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing car which hit that stationary machine.<\/p>\n An investigation was launched due to the incident.<\/p>\n As the session moved past its halfway point, Verstappen uncorked a 8:18.539 for his fourth timed lap, sending the #3 Mercedes to the top of the timings, more than eight seconds clear.<\/p>\n Verstappen had ensured his qualification for the 24-hour race, as he handed the #3 car over to teammate Daniel Juncadella.<\/p>\n More on Max Verstappen and N\u00fcrburgring 24 from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n N\u00fcrburgring 24 Hours: How does qualifying work?<\/a><\/p>\n The unseen Max Verstappen trick that has already stunned a N\u00fcrburgring legend<\/a><\/p>\n Into the final half hour of the session, the #3 car, now with Jules Gounon at the wheel, continued to lead the way by 8.1 seconds from the #77 BMW M4 GT3 EVO.<\/p>\n But the times were soon to ramp up.<\/p>\n The sister Mercedes-AMG GT3 had upped the pace to a 8:14.957, courtesy of Fabian Schiller, who made his way back to the pits off the back of that lap.<\/p>\n The timing was ideal, with rain falling in sections of the Nordschleife.<\/p>\n The #3 Mercedes was down to third.<\/p>\n Wet lines were appearing as the cars carefully navigated this slippery Nordschleife challenge. There was hail down at Turn 1.<\/p>\n With five minutes remaining, Lucas Auer took to the treacherous track and promptly returned to the pit lane.<\/p>\n Track conditions meant that there would be no lap time improvement, confirming P1 for the #80 Mercedes-AMG GT3.<\/p>\n The #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes ended Q1 third, Verstappen setting the car\u2019s fastest time of a 8:18.539.<\/p>\n Qualifying 2 will be an evening session, a deliberate move to prepare drivers for night-time conditions. Verstappen, although he\u2019s already qualified for the 24-hour race, is expected to partake.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n Read next: Dramatic crash triggers stewards\u2019 investigation ahead of N\u00fcrburgring 24 Hours<\/a><\/p>\n