Overview
- Verstappen advanced to the final pole shootout by setting the sixth-best time in Top Qualifying 2, with teammate Dani Juncadella slated to take the pole run for Verstappen Racing.
- Following Thursday's opening qualifying, he set an 8:18.539 to place third and drew wide attention with a bold overtake that spread quickly on social media.
- He logged his first Nordschleife night laps in heavy rain and fog, then said a dry track in Top Qualifying 2 let him feel at ease in the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
- He shares the car with experienced GT drivers Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer in addition to Juncadella for the endurance classic.
- Organizers and media report an unusual surge in interest with weekend in-person tickets sold out, as the 24-hour race on the 20-plus km course demands careful traffic management, quick weather calls and measured risk over raw pace.