
Toto Wolff has confirmed that it was Mercedes-AMG that pushed to change the dates of the preparation races for the Nürburgring 24 Hours to accommodate Max Verstappen due to the influence the four-time Formula 1 champion has on the series' viewership.
After making his GT3 debut, and winning, in the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) in 2025, Verstappen has been eager to continue with his endurance racing efforts alongside F1. The Dutchman confirmed in October that his 2026 GT3 schedule would also depend on the complexity of the 2026 F1 regulations.