Max Verstappen and his GT3 debut in the NLS 9 at Nürburgring

Max Verstappen in NLS 9: he'll race a Ferrari 296 GT3 and is aiming for the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours.

Max Verstappen will compete in the upcoming Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS 9) at the wheel of the Ferrari 296 GT3, sharing the car with Chris Lulham and competing in the GT3 category (SP9 class). His recent participation in NLS 7 made it clear that he is genuinely interested in endurance racing. But his plan doesn’t end there: the Dutchman already has his sights set on the legendary 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2026.

The NLS as a learning platform

While Verstappen is already a household name in Formula 1, his move into endurance racing at Nürburgring is both symbolic and thrilling. The Dutchman wants to prove not only that he can dominate single-seaters but also that he has what it takes to face one of the most demanding and iconic circuits in the world.

Experience the extreme traffic of a multitude of different categories.
Learn to manage tires, fuel consumption, and wear on longer runs.
Complete the necessary laps to obtain the appropriate license and thus be able to compete in the GT3 (SP9) category.

His performance at NLS 7 was key to confirming that he’s not just arriving as a guest, but with a clear learning strategy for his big goal of 2026.

The big goal: 2026 24 Hours of Nürburgring

The 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2026 is one of the world’s most prestigious endurance races, and Verstappen has his sights firmly set on it.

Why Nürburgring 24h 2026?

Future beyond F1: Verstappen has hinted that his F1 career won’t last forever, and endurance racing offers a natural evolution.
A legendary challenge: Winning at the Nordschleife is one of the ultimate achievements in motorsport.
Perfect preparation: With prior NLS experience, Verstappen will arrive in 2026 with confidence and valuable race knowledge.

Expectations for Verstappen

True to his competitive nature, Verstappen will aim for a strong overall result. He won’t treat Nürburgring as just an exhibition; he wants to prove himself against the best in endurance racing.

Max Verstappen’s - NLS 9. Where to watch the race live

Fans around the world will be able to watch Verstappen in action at Nürburgring thanks to the official live broadcast on YouTube. Don’t miss a single lap: Watch the race live here

Details of his participation in NLS round 9

Dates and schedules

Max Verstappen will participate in the ninth round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) this weekend (Saturday, September 27, 2026):

NLS Round 9 – 27th of Septmeber 2026 (Saturday)

Conclusion

Max Verstappen’s participation in the upcoming NLS meeting is not a one-off, but rather part of a carefully planned path toward his ultimate challenge: competing in the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours. With his experience in the NLS 7, his competitive mindset, and the enthusiasm of the fans, everything indicates that the Dutchman will also seek to make his mark in endurance motorsport.

FAQs

1. Which NLS event did Max Verstappen most recently compete in?
NLS 7, where he began to adapt to endurance racing at the Nürburgring.

2. What is Verstappen looking for in the NLS?
To prepare for the extreme conditions of the Nordschleife and gain experience ahead of the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

3. When will the Nürburgring 24 Hours be held in 2026?
The official date is already published here.

4. Where can you watch the race Verstappen will compete in?
Live on YouTube at this link: click here.

5. Is Verstappen simply looking to compete or compete to win?
His competitive mindset indicates that he will fight for a top result, not just experience.