Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen will contest the second spherical of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) on Saturday 21 March.
He can be driving the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 entered by Winward below the Verstappen Racing banner and can share the automobile with GT3 specialists Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon. Both drivers are representing Verstappen Racing within the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup this yr.
The 2026 NLS season was initially scheduled to kick off on March 14, however mild 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.
But what’s the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie, who’s competing, and the place can you watch the race dwell? Motorsport.com has compiled a very powerful data.
The Mercedes-AMG GT3 that Max Verstappen will drive in NLS2 and the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring.
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
What is the NLS?
The Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie, higher often known as NLS, is a long-distance championship consisting of 10 races. Each race takes place on the Nurburgring Nordschleife. However, the format differs from that used throughout the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, one of many highlights of long-distance racing.
In the NLS, the so-called ‘Mercedes-Arena’ and the ‘Motorbike-Chicane’ are used, earlier than continuing to the Nordschleife part. Thus, the whole grand prix circuit shouldn’t be utilised, as is the case throughout the Nurburgring 24 Hours. The NLS format is thus 24.358 kilometres lengthy, whereas the 24H format is 25.378 kilometres.
In addition, the period of the NLS races differ. 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 shouldn’t be a part of the NLS calendar: it’s a race that stands extra by itself, however does play a distinguished function throughout the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC).
The NLS is taken into account good preparation for the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring.
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Many producers and groups view the NLS pretty much as good preparation for the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring. As a end result, NLS races main up to the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring usually have full entry lists, whereas NLS races following the spotlight of the calendar have a tendency to entice much less curiosity.
In races on the Nordschleife, which incorporates the NLS, drivers should additionally take particular security guidelines under consideration. Under 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. Anyone who violates these guidelines dangers dropping their license and should then undergo the method of acquiring a license as soon as once more.
When can you take part within the NLS?
The Nurburgring-Nordschleife is named the “Green Hell” and, for a number of causes, presents a singular problem for drivers wishing to compete within the races. No one escapes the stricter guidelines that apply to racing within the Eifel — not even Verstappen.
Anyone who desires to race in NLS should register for the racing course at the circuit. First, a web based questionnaire have to be accomplished. Once that is completed, drivers obtain a type of refresher course on-site in a classroom, the place the particular guidelines for the endurance races at the Nurburgring are reviewed.
This is adopted by a bus tour of the circuit, stopping at a number of factors so the monitor will be studied in additional element. After the idea comes the apply, throughout which drivers comply with an teacher and take turns altering positions within the line. The most necessary data is then reviewed, after which the tempo is step by step elevated.
Once these reconnaissance laps are full, college students say goodbye to their teacher and should full eight full laps on their very own with one purpose: to keep out of bother. Lap occasions will not be but related at this stage. Those who succeed on this obtain Permit B. They are then allowed to race in much less highly effective automobiles. Once at least seven trouble-free laps have been accomplished in a single NLS race, the driving force turns into eligible for Permit A and should race within the prime class — the SP9 class with GT3s.
Who are Max Verstappen’s team-mates?
Verstappen can be teaming up with Juncadella and Gounon in NLS2, with Lucas Auer set to be part of the trio at the Nurburgring 24 Hours later in May.
Juncadella initially started his profession in single-seaters and even joined Force India as a reserve driver after profitable the F3 Euro Series with Prema. However, he made a quantity for himself in sportscar racing whereas driving for reputed manufacturers like Mercedes and Corvette. His profession highlights embody profitable the 2022 GT World Challenge Europe with Gounon and Raffaele Marciello, in addition to an total victory at the Spa 24 Hours with the identical team-mates. In 2026, he’ll step up to the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship with Genesis.
Gounon left single-seaters comparatively early in his profession and loved loads of success in sportscars, initially with Bentley and in a while with Mercedes. The Frenchman shares the file for the joint most wins at Bathurst 12 Hour with three successes, whereas he additionally triumphed at the fabled Spa 24 Hours twice. With titles in GT World Challenge Europe and ADAC GT Masters, he’s thought of probably the most completed GT drivers of his era. Gounon has additionally gained expertise in prototype equipment and is about to contest his second Hypercar marketing campaign with Alpine this yr.
Who is competing in NLS2?
The fundamental focus in NLS2 is on Verstappen. Last yr, the 28-year-old Dutchman made his debut in a Ferrari 296 GT3 under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann” throughout a take a look at day at the Nurburgring-Nordschleife.
Later that yr, 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 gained instantly with team-mate Chris Lulham, though the GT3 discipline had thinned out significantly and there have been few severe rivals.
That can be totally different in NLS2, regardless of a number of drivers contesting the clashing Sebring 12 Hours IMSA enduro.
Many producers and groups are fielding robust 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 Team Ravenol, the place Fabian Schiller and Maxime Martin — two Nordschleife specialists — share the cockpit.
The NLS championship options the cream of the GT3 world.
Photo by: Julian Schmidt
In addition, Rowe Racing will discipline two robust BMW M4 GT3s with begin numbers 98 and 99. The #98 can be pushed by Augusto Farfus, Raffaele Marciello, and Sheldon Van Der Linde — 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 Jordan Pepper and Dan Harper, may even give Verstappen a run for his cash.
There may even be robust competitors from Italy within the type of Red Bull Team Abt, which is competing with the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO II bearing begin quantity 130. This automobile can be pushed by a top-tier line-up consisting of DTM champion Mirko Bortolotti, Nordschleife professional Marco Mapelli, Luca Engstler and Patric Niederhauser.
The Porsche groups are additionally historically robust. Falken and Dunlop Motorsport are fielding two 911 GT3 Rs, with Nico Menzel and Dorian Boccolacci within the #17 and Sven Muller and Tim Heinemann 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 Christian Krognes (#34), the eye-catching Ford Mustang GT3s from Haupt Racing Team (#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 can be competing towards that very staff — and Verstappen himself.
Scherer Sport PHX, which depends on Audi, shouldn’t be underestimated both. For Verstappen, this implies he’ll have to compete towards absolutely the world elite in endurance racing.
Which lessons are competing?
The NLS championship is understood for its many alternative lessons. The prime class is the SP9, through which GT3 automobiles compete. In addition, there may be the SP10 class, consisting of GT4 automobiles. The CUP2 class, that includes the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, can also be among the many quickest classes within the NLS. Furthermore, the entry listing contains the BMW M2 Racing, BMW M240i Racing Cup, VW Golf 8 GTI Clubsport, and BMW G81 M3 Touring 24H — simply to spotlight the number of automobiles and classes.
Since 20 totally different lessons are competing — totalling 136 automobiles for NLS2 — there are three totally different beginning teams. First, the sphere consisting of the SP9, SP10, SP7, SP-X, CUP2, AT1, and AT2 can be launched, comprising 56 automobiles. Shortly thereafter, the second beginning group follows with 43 contributors from the SP4, SP3T, BMW M240i, BMW M2, TCR, CUP3, and SP4T lessons. Finally, the remaining 37 automobiles are allowed to begin. These embody the V6, V5, VT2-F+4WD, VT2-RWD, SP2T, and BMW 325i.
Why are there totally different classes throughout the GT3 class?
To hold the enjoying discipline degree, there are three totally different sub-categories within the SP9 class that includes GT3 automobiles: Pro, Pro/Am, and Am. For these calculations, the NLS makes use of the FIA classification system.
Drivers who want to compete in a majority of these 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 robotically falls below platinum. This ends in a ranking of 4 within the NLS championship.
The Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 falls below the Pro class in NLS.
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
If the common ranking of the drivers in a single GT3 automobile exceeds 2.4, that staff falls into the Pro class — absolutely the prime tier on the Nordschleife. With a mean of precisely 2.4 or decrease, a staff falls below Pro-Am. The AM class is for groups with a mean ranking of 1.35 or decrease — usually reserved for groups with silver and bronze drivers.
Verstappen’s staff competes within the Pro class, which includes a whole of 13 automobiles. There are 9 automobiles within the Pro/Am class and 5 within the Am class throughout NLS2.
How can Verstappen race at the Nurburgring throughout the F1 season?
Verstappen had already recurrently expressed his ambition to compete within the Nurburgring 24 Hours. This yr, the celebrities aligned for the Red Bull F1 driver, because the enduro falls between the Miami and Canadian grands prix. However, Verstappen additionally emphasised that he would solely take part if he might correctly put together for the race, so the thought of competing in an NLS race rapidly got here up.
The first 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 every week in order that Verstappen might 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 transfer NLS2 up by every week as an alternative. As a end result, NLS2 fell between the F1 races in China and Japan.
What does the schedule for NLS2 appear to be?
The NLS championship follows a typical schedule for many weekends. This includes a compact programme. Qualifying for NLS2 begins on Saturday, March 21, at 8:30 am and runs till 10:00 am. Fans 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. Only throughout NLS7 will the checkered flag be waved at 6:00 pm. All occasions are listed above are in CET.
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 |
Where can you watch NLS2 dwell?
The second race of the NLS championship can be streamed dwell on ADAC Motorsports’s YouTube channel with German and English commentary. Additionally, Verstappen’s sim racing staff, Team Redline, can be following the staff’s efficiency dwell by way of Twitch.
We need your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Team
