Max Verstappen's participation in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours has taken a significant step forward with confirmation of his appearance in the Nurburgring Endurance Series (NLS) second round on March 21. The four-time F1 world champion will compete in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 from the Winward team, marking his first competitive outing on the legendary Nordschleife in preparation for the main endurance event.

This development comes after the NLS rescheduled its second round to avoid conflicts with the Formula 1 calendar, creating a crucial window for Verstappen's preparation. The race, moved forward at Mercedes' request to fall between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix, represents Verstappen's only opportunity to gain track experience before the 24-hour challenge, assuming the F1 season proceeds as planned in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The 28-year-old Dutchman has emphasized the importance of this preparatory race, stating he needs experience in the new car on the demanding circuit before tackling the full endurance event. With Verstappen having recently intensified testing with the Mercedes-AMG GT3, sources suggest there's a basic agreement between him and Mercedes-AMG regarding his participation in the May 24-hour race, though the unpredictable Eifel weather could still impact plans.