Max Verstappen’s Nürburgring debut triggers historic sellout for the 24‑hour classic

Formula 1 may be on a three‑week break in May before the Canadian Grand Prix, but Max Verstappen isn’t exactly kicking back. Instead, the Red Bull superstar is gearing up for one of the wildest challenges in motorsports: the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, running May 16–17, with the green flag dropping at 9 a.m. ET.

And here’s the twist — he’s doing it with Mercedes, driving a Mercedes‑AMG GT3 on the legendary Nordschleife.

His debut in the 54th edition of the race has created a frenzy unlike anything the event has seen since it began in 1970. For the first time ever, organizers announced that all weekend tickets are completely sold out, a surge directly tied to Verstappen’s presence.

A record‑breaking rush to the “Green Hell”

Demand has been so overwhelming that race officials are warning fans not to show up on Saturday without tickets, as there will be no sales at the gate. They’re urging those who already secured passes to arrive early to avoid massive delays around the Eifel region.

There are still limited single‑day tickets available for Thursday, Friday, and Sunday — but not for the full 24‑hour experience. Last year’s attendance topped 280,000 fans, and 2026 is already on pace to blow past that number.

Verstappen joins a stacked GT3 lineup

The three‑time F1 champion will share the Mercedes with Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer in a GT3 class featuring more than 40 entries. In total, 161 cars will take the start on Saturday at 9 a.m. ET, with hundreds of thousands of fans lining the forested hillsides of the Nordschleife.

For Verstappen, it’s a rare chance to step outside the F1 bubble and take on one of the most punishing endurance races on the planet — and fans are clearly ready to witness history.

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