Why Max Verstappen Isn't Racing at NLS3 This Weekend

Max Verstappen's GT racing schedule at Nurburgring doesn't include NLS3, which is taking place this weekend.

F1 champion Max Verstappen won't be participating in the third round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), scheduled to take place this weekend.

The four-time F1 world champion made his GT racing debut last season, participating in NLS9 at the iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife in a Ferrari managed by Emil Frey.

Verstappen won his first GT race in a Ferrari with a Red Bull livery, and was targeting a first appearance in the Nurburgring 24 Hours.

Preliminary plans were made early last year to achieve this goal, with Verstappen's team partnering with Winward Racing to field a Mercedes-AMG GT3 backed by Red Bull.

Following lobbying from Mercedes and Toto Wolff, the NLS organizers moved the second round to the weekend after the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix, allowing Verstappen to compete.

This entry was seen as a prerequisite for participation in the 24-hour race.

Paired with Joules Gounon and Dani Juncadella, Verstappen secured pole position for NLS2 last month and helped the No. 3 car win the race.

NLS2 race

However, the car was later disqualified for a tire infringement.

After NLS2, Verstappen said he was considering participating in NLS3, given the F1 race in the Middle East in April was canceled due to the Iran conflict.

However, at the Japanese Grand Prix, he confirmed that he would not be participating in NLS3 on Saturday, April 11.

This is because the Mercedes No. 3 that he was driving alongside Gounon and Juncadella was competing in the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe at Paul Ricard this weekend.

However, he will return to drive the Mercedes No. 3 for qualifying of the Nurburgring 24 on the following weekend of April 18-19, ahead of the 24-hour race in May.

Verstappen will join Lucas Auer in qualifying, while Juncadella and Gounon are unable to participate due to their commitments in the World Endurance Championship at Imola.

The 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours will feature a record 150 entries, with Verstappen's involvement generating interest in the event.

Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll will make his GT racing debut this weekend at the opening round of the GTWCE at Paul Ricard.