The subjective consensus was overwhelming: Max Verstappen’s show on the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours was nothing wanting extraordinary, cementing his repute as arguably the quickest driver on the planet proper now. However does this dominance maintain up beneath statistical scrutiny?
Essentially the most direct comparability lies along with his team-mates Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer. Whereas evaluating them instantly requires a caveat, as they had been hardly ever on observe beneath similar circumstances, the information stays compelling.
Moreover, we will benchmark his efficiency in opposition to the sister automobile (#80) of Maro Engel, Luca Stolz, Fabian Schiller, and Maxime Martin. Though the #80 featured a distinct suspension from Bilstein fairly than the #3’s Multimatic dampers, the general efficiency delta between the 2 autos remained negligible.
Let’s first have a look at the quickest lap instances set by every of the eight drivers:
Max Verstappen #3 – 8:12.818
Maro Engel #80 – 8:13.213
Dani Juncadella #3 – 8:13.718
Fabian Schiller #80 – 8:14.646
Luca Stolz #80 – 8:14.687
Lucas Auer #3 – 8:16.355
Maxime Martin #80 – 8:17.416
Jules Gounon #3 – 8:18.993
A small win for the four-time Method 1 world champion. Whereas it’s truthful to notice that some drivers loved cleaner observe time than others, and Verstappen benefited from beneficial circumstances throughout his morning stint, the actual fact stays: he outpaced seasoned AMG manufacturing unit drivers who compete within the Mercedes-AMG GT3 week-in, week-out on a world stage.
A extra granular perception is offered by a head-to-head evaluation of Verstappen’s stints in comparison with his counterparts within the #80, the place each had been on observe concurrently and never too far aside from one another, additionally pitting on the similar laps:
Verstappen Stint 1 (Laps 8-15)
#3: Max Verstappen – 1h11m44.018s
#80: Maro Engel – 1h11m50.069s
Consequence: Verstappen 6.051 seconds sooner.
At this stage, the vehicles had been nonetheless separated on observe because the #80 fought its means up from twenty fifth on the grid. Verstappen, in the meantime, was largely battling by means of the heavy visitors within the lead pack.
Verstappen Stint 2 (Laps 16-23)
#3: Max Verstappen – 1h19m04.361s
#80: Maxime Martin – 1h19m41.616s
Consequence: Verstappen 37.255 seconds sooner.
To be truthful, we should account for a Code 60 zone that caught out Martin as Verstappen had squeezed by means of simply earlier than the restrict was enforced. Martin misplaced 18.453 seconds in that single second. Even adjusting for this, Verstappen remained 18.802 seconds sooner. This was his slowest stint on account of many Code 60s.
Verstappen Stint 3 (Laps 67-74)
#3: Max Verstappen – 1h17m50.033s
#80: Maro Engel – 1h17m57.103s
Consequence: Verstappen 7.070 seconds sooner.
The evening stint witnessed their final confrontation, together with the notorious contact between the 2 AMGs. Verstappen edged out Engel within the direct duel. Regardless of the considerably slower tempo attributable to two main Code 60 zones, the Dutchman took again the lead throughout this stint, which the #3 then saved till hitting issues.
Verstappen Stint 4 (Laps 75-82)
#3: Max Verstappen – 1h11m45.466s
#80: Maxime Martin – 1h12m11.925s
Consequence: Verstappen 26.459 seconds sooner.
Following their duel, Verstappen pulled almost half a minute on Martin through the second half of his double stint. There was no single “large chunk” of time misplaced right here; Verstappen was merely sooner than the Belgian on nearly each single lap. With just one Code 60 in impact, the tempo was barely larger than within the stint earlier than.
Verstappen Stint 5 (Laps 115-122)
#3: Max Verstappen – 1h10m06.621s
#80: Luca Stolz – 1h10m14.786s
Consequence: Verstappen 8.165 seconds sooner.
This was Verstappen’s solely stint in opposition to Stolz, one other elite, long-time AMG specialist. Within the high-speed circumstances of Sunday morning with little Code 60 interference, Verstappen continued to construct his lead incrementally.
Verstappen Stint 6 (Laps 123-130)
#3: Max Verstappen – 1h09m57.580s
#80: Maro Engel – 1h10m32.680s
Consequence: Verstappen 35.100 seconds sooner.
To be truthful, we should low cost the out-lap, because the #80 started experiencing unusually lengthy pit stops at this level — rumoured to be a group tactical resolution to stop additional on-track clashes after the sooner night-time drama. The gaps had been successfully frozen.
Even after stripping discounting the out-lap (the place Engel misplaced 11.724s) and the in-lap (the place Code 60 accounted for one more 13.849s loss), Verstappen remained 9.527 seconds sooner.
Conclusion
Verstappen was sooner than his direct rival in each single one in all his stints. Throughout his 48 whole laps, he outpaced his team-mate within the #80 on 35 events.
This degree of consistency isn’t any coincidence. Throughout his six stints, Verstappen constructed a complete hole of 2m00.100s over the #80. Even when stripping out the variables of Code 60 and pit cease disparities, Verstappen was nonetheless 1m16.074s sooner.
That may be a staggering achievement, notably given the fashionable actuality that closing a two-minute hole on pure benefit on the Nurburgring 24 Hours has develop into almost unimaginable.
Analysing these 20% quickest laps for the #3 Winward-Mercedes, Verstappen alone accounts for 12 of the 27 quickest laps. That’s almost half the top-tier efficiency for a automobile shared by 4 drivers.
Verstappen has really left his mark. Contemplating the calibre of the team-mates he was up in opposition to, his efficiency solidifies his standing as, fairly presumably, the quickest circuit racer on 4 wheels at current.
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