Max Verstappen is back at the Nürburgring Nordschleife this week, just two days after the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.
Verstappen has opted for additional GT3 track time instead of participating in Red Bull’s scheduled Formula 1 tyre test at Suzuka.
The Dutchman is absent from the two-day Pirelli test, with other drivers stepping up in his absence.
The decision underlines Verstappen’s increasing focus on endurance racing preparation ahead of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
Track activity at the Nordschleife has intensified, with two identical-looking Mercedes-AMG GT3s, both running the number #3, were spotted running simultaneously.
Jules Gounon is expected to be sharing testing duties in the second car, allowing for extended mileage and parallel data gathering.
This private running gives Verstappen a notable advantage in preparation. While many established GT3 drivers rely primarily on official race weekends and limited testing opportunities, Verstappen is accumulating significantly more laps on the Nordschleife, albeit outside public sessions, accelerating his adaptation to one of motorsport’s most demanding circuits.
A busy schedule for Max Verstappen
Looking ahead, Verstappen has clarified his upcoming schedule. He will not take part in NLS3 due to all his GT teammates’ clash with a race at Paul Ricard, but confirmed he is targeting the Nürburgring 24h Qualifiers. With Lucas Auer currently set to run and both Dani Juncadella and Gounon unavailable, Verstappen indicated it “would make sense” to enter the Qualifiers with just Auer.
As Formula 1 testing continues without him in Japan, Verstappen’s presence in Germany highlights a clear priority shift: maximizing seat time on the Nordschleife as he builds toward a full-scale assault on the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Verstappen’s decision to prioritise GT testing over tyre tests for F1 at Suzuka is the latest in a series of hints that the Dutchman could walk away from F1 at the end of the year.
Although locked into a contract until 2028, he has exit performance clauses in his contract, and with his other racing activities gathering precedence, this GT3 test could hold huge significance.
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