The Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie has rescheduled its second race to fit an Formula 1 off-weekend, enabling Max Verstappen to compete in a required preparatory event for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The change, prompted by Mercedes, has approval from Red Bull and aims to attract top drivers. This adjustment positions the four-time F1 champion for a potential debut at the endurance classic.
The Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) announced a key adjustment to its 2026 calendar, shifting the second race from March 28 to March 21. This move aligns the event with a gap in the Formula 1 schedule between the Chinese Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix, providing an opportunity for Max Verstappen to participate.
Verstappen, the four-time F1 world champion racing for Red Bull, requires one NLS start early in the season to qualify for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, scheduled for summer 2026. The series' initial calendar from September 2025 placed all early races on F1 weekends, creating a conflict. Following a formal request from Mercedes last week, and with approvals from both Mercedes and Red Bull, the NLS accommodated the change. Originally reported by German outlet Motorsport-total, the adjustment leaves only the completion of this preparatory race as the remaining hurdle for Verstappen.
NLS stated the shift leverages the F1 calendar gap to enable top-tier drivers to compete. "This adjustment leverages a gap in the F1 calendar between the Grands Prix in China and Japan," the series wrote in an Instagram post. "By aligning with the international racing schedule, we enable top-tier drivers to compete in the NLS. This move increases our global reach to the benefit of all teams, participants, and the entire Nurburgring region."
The decision underscores efforts to bridge elite single-seater and endurance racing, potentially drawing more international attention to the Nürburgring, known as the 'Green Hell' for its challenging 20.8-kilometer Nordschleife circuit.
