4-time Method 1 champion will contest the second spherical of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) on Saturday 21 March.
He shall be underneath the Verstappen Racing banner and can share the automotive with GT3 specialists and . Each drivers are representing Verstappen Racing within the GT World Problem Europe Endurance Cup this 12 months.
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The 2026 NLS season was initially scheduled to kick off on March 14, however gentle snow and freezing temperatures led to the race being cancelled. The season is now set to get underway with NLS2 – formally titled the 58th ADAC Barbarossa Prize – with forecast of 12 levels and sunshine on Saturday.
However what’s the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie, who’s competing, and the place are you able to watch the race reside? Motorsport.com has compiled an important data.
De Mercedes-AMG GT3 waar Max Verstappen mee zal rijden in NLS2 en de 24 uur van de Nürburgring.
De Mercedes-AMG GT3 waar Max Verstappen mee zal rijden in NLS2 en de 24 uur van de Nürburgring.
What’s the NLS?
The Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie, higher referred to as NLS, is a long-distance championship consisting of 10 races. Every race takes place on the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Nevertheless, the structure differs from that used throughout the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, one of many highlights of long-distance racing.
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Within the NLS, the so-called ‘Mercedes-Enviornment’ and the ‘Bike-Chicane’ are used, earlier than continuing to the Nordschleife part. Thus, the whole grand prix circuit isn’t utilised, as is the case throughout the Nurburgring 24 Hours. The NLS structure is thus 24.358 kilometres lengthy, whereas the 24H structure is 25.378 kilometres.
As well as, the period of the NLS races range. Most rounds, together with this weekend’s NLS2, final 4 hours, however the seventh spherical of the championship, which takes place on August 1, lasts six hours. The Nurburgring 24 Hours isn’t a part of the NLS calendar: it’s a race that stands extra by itself, however does play a distinguished position inside the Intercontinental GT Problem (IGTC).
NLS geldt als een goede voorbereiding op de 24 uur van de Nürburgring.
NLS geldt als een goede voorbereiding op de 24 uur van de Nürburgring.
Many producers and groups view the NLS pretty much as good preparation for the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring. Consequently, NLS races main as much as the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring typically have full entry lists, whereas NLS races following the spotlight of the calendar have a tendency to draw much less curiosity.
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In races on the Nordschleife, which incorporates the NLS, drivers should additionally take particular security guidelines under consideration. Beneath a double yellow flag, drivers might drive at a most of 120km/h, and such a zone could also be adopted by a so-called Code 60 zone, the place the velocity restrict is 60km/h. Anybody who violates these guidelines dangers shedding their license and should then undergo the method of acquiring a license as soon as once more.
When are you able to take part within the NLS?
The Nurburgring-Nordschleife is named the “Inexperienced Hell” and, for a number of causes, presents a novel problem for drivers wishing to compete within the races. Nobody escapes the stricter guidelines that apply to racing within the Eifel — not even Verstappen.
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Anybody who desires to race in NLS should register for the racing course on the circuit. First, a web based questionnaire have to be accomplished. As soon as that is completed, drivers obtain a kind of refresher course on-site in a classroom, the place the particular guidelines for the endurance races on the Nurburgring are reviewed.
That is adopted by a bus tour of the circuit, stopping at a number of factors so the monitor could be studied in additional element. After the speculation comes the observe, throughout which drivers observe an teacher and take turns altering positions within the line. A very powerful data is then reviewed, after which the tempo is steadily elevated.
As soon as these reconnaissance laps are full, college students say goodbye to their teacher and should full eight full laps on their very own with one objective: to remain out of bother. Lap instances will not be but related at this stage. Those that succeed on this obtain Allow B. They’re then allowed to race in much less highly effective automobiles. As soon as no less than seven trouble-free laps have been accomplished in a single NLS race, the motive force turns into eligible for Allow A and should race within the prime class — the SP9 class with GT3s.
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Who’re Max Verstappen’s team-mates?
Verstappen shall be teaming up with Juncadella and Gounon in NLS2, with set to affix the trio on the Nurburgring 24 Hours later in Could.
Juncadella initially started his profession in single-seaters and even joined Drive India as a reserve driver after successful the F3 Euro Sequence with Prema. Nevertheless, he made a quantity for himself in sportscar racing whereas driving for reputed manufacturers like Mercedes and Corvette. His profession highlights embrace successful the 2022 GT World Problem Europe with Gounon and , in addition to an total victory on the Spa 24 Hours with the identical team-mates. In 2026, he’ll step as much as the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship with Genesis.
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Gounon left single-seaters comparatively early in his profession and loved loads of success in sportscars, initially with Bentley and afterward with Mercedes. The Frenchman shares the file for the joint most wins at Bathurst 12 Hour with three successes, whereas he additionally triumphed on the fabled Spa 24 Hours twice. With titles in GT World Problem Europe and ADAC GT Masters, he’s thought of probably the most completed GT drivers of his technology. Gounon has additionally gained expertise in prototype equipment and is ready to contest his second Hypercar marketing campaign with Alpine this 12 months.
Who’s competing in NLS2?
The primary focus in NLS2 is on Verstappen. Final 12 months, the 28-year-old Dutchman throughout a check day on the Nurburgring-Nordschleife.
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Later that 12 months, he competed in his first NLS race, driving a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS. This allowed him to earn his license to race GT3s. He returned not lengthy after to race the Ferrari 296 GT3 and received instantly with team-mate , though the GT3 subject had thinned out significantly and there have been few critical rivals.
That shall be completely different in NLS2, regardless of a number of drivers contesting the clashing Sebring 12 Hours IMSA enduro.
Many producers and groups are fielding sturdy line-ups at NLS2, and no fewer than 26 GT3 automobiles are competing within the SP9 class. Verstappen, alongside Juncadella and Gounon, will face off towards, amongst others, the #80 Mercedes-AMG Crew Ravenol, the place and — two Nordschleife specialists — share the cockpit.
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In het NLS-kampioenschap is de prime van de GT3-wereld te vinden.
In het NLS-kampioenschap is de prime van de GT3-wereld te vinden.
As well as, Rowe Racing will subject two sturdy BMW M4 GT3s with begin numbers 98 and 99. The #98 shall be pushed by , , and — a line-up that, based mostly on velocity and expertise, is taken into account one of many favourites for the general victory. The #99, with and , may even give Verstappen a run for his cash.
There may even be sturdy competitors from Italy within the type of Pink Bull Crew Abt, which is competing with the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO II bearing begin quantity 130. This automotive shall be pushed by a top-tier line-up consisting of DTM champion , Nordschleife professional , and .
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The Porsche groups are additionally historically sturdy. Falken and Dunlop Motorsport are fielding two 911 GT3 Rs, with and within the #17 and and within the #44. As all the time, Porsche is taken into account a contender for the win.
The producer battle is rounded out by the brand new Aston Martin Vantage from Walkenhorst Motorsport, that includes file holder (#34), the eye-catching Ford Mustang GT3s from Haupt Racing Crew (#64 and #65), and the Ferrari 296 GT3 from Kondo Racing with Rinaldi, pushed by Thierry Vermuelen. The Dutch DTM driver is supported by Verstappen Racing all through his profession, however this weekend he shall be competing towards that very crew — and Verstappen himself.
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Scherer Sport PHX, which depends on Audi, shouldn’t be underestimated both. For Verstappen, this implies he’ll must compete towards absolutely the world elite in endurance racing.
Which courses are competing?
The NLS championship is thought for its many alternative courses. The highest class is the SP9, during which GT3 automobiles compete. As well as, there’s the SP10 class, consisting of GT4 automobiles. The CUP2 class, that includes the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, can be among the many quickest classes within the NLS. Moreover, the entry checklist consists of the BMW M2 Racing, BMW M240i Racing Cup, VW Golf 8 GTI Clubsport, and BMW G81 M3 Touring 24H — simply to focus on the number of automobiles and classes.
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Since 20 completely different courses are competing — totalling 136 automobiles for NLS2 — there are three completely different beginning teams. First, the sphere consisting of the SP9, SP10, SP7, SP-X, CUP2, AT1, and AT2 shall be launched, comprising 56 automobiles. Shortly thereafter, the second beginning group follows with 43 individuals from the SP4, SP3T, BMW M240i, BMW M2, TCR, CUP3, and SP4T courses. Lastly, the remaining 37 automobiles are allowed to begin. These embrace the V6, V5, VT2-F+4WD, VT2-RWD, SP2T, and BMW 325i.
Why are there completely different classes inside the GT3 class?
To maintain the enjoying subject degree, there are three completely different sub-categories within the SP9 class that includes GT3 automobiles: Professional, Professional/Am, and Am. For these calculations, the NLS makes use of the FIA classification system.
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Drivers who want to compete in these kinds of championships should apply for such a licence from the FIA, and based mostly on sure necessities, drivers are divided into the classes platinum, gold, silver, and bronze. As an F1 driver, Verstappen holds the tremendous licence and subsequently mechanically falls underneath platinum. This leads to a score of 4 within the NLS championship.
De Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 valt onder de Professional-categorie in NLS.
De Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 valt onder de Professional-categorie in NLS.
If the typical score of the drivers in a single GT3 automotive exceeds 2.4, that crew falls into the Professional class — absolutely the prime tier on the Nordschleife. With a median of precisely 2.4 or decrease, a crew falls underneath Professional-Am. The AM class is for groups with a median score of 1.35 or decrease — typically reserved for groups with silver and bronze drivers.
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Verstappen’s crew competes within the Professional class, which encompasses a complete of 13 automobiles. There are 9 automobiles within the Professional/Am class and 5 within the Am class throughout NLS2.
How can Verstappen race on the Nurburgring throughout the F1 season?
Verstappen had already commonly expressed his ambition to compete within the Nurburgring 24 Hours. This 12 months, the celebrities aligned for the Pink Bull F1 driver, because the enduro falls between the Miami and Canadian grands prix. Nevertheless, Verstappen additionally emphasised that he would solely take part if he may correctly put together for the race, so the thought of competing in an NLS race rapidly got here up.
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The primary two races of the NLS season, nonetheless, coincided with the F1 races in China and Japan. Mercedes-AMG lobbied the NLS organisation to postpone the primary race by per week in order that Verstappen may nonetheless take part. That didn’t occur, however the NLS organisation recognised the optimistic impression of Verstappen’s participation and determined, as a compromise, to maneuver NLS2 up by per week as an alternative. Consequently, NLS2 fell between the F1 races in China and Japan.
What does the schedule for NLS2 seem like?
The NLS championship follows a regular schedule for many weekends. This entails a compact programme. Qualifying for NLS2 begins on Saturday, March 21, at 8:30 am and runs till 10:00 am. Followers in attendance can then benefit from the pit stroll from 10:20 am to 11:00 am, earlier than the automobiles head to the beginning grid at 11:00 am for the pre-race process. The race begins at 12:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm. Solely throughout NLS7 will the checkered flag be waved at 6:00 pm. All instances are listed above are in CET.
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Date: 21 March (Saturday)
Race begin: 11:00am GMT / 12:00pm CET
Session
GMT
CET
ET
PT
AEDT
JST
GST
IST
CST
Qualifying
07:30
08:30
03:30
00:30
18:30
16:30
11:30
13:00
15:30
Race
11:00
12:00
07:00
04:00
22:00
20:00
15:00
16:30
19:00
The place are you able to watch NLS2 reside?
The second race of the NLS championship shall be streamed reside on with German and English commentary. Moreover, Verstappen’s sim racing crew, Crew Redline, shall be following the crew’s efficiency reside by way of .
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