Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen was stopped in the Mercedes AMG GT3 during the first pitstop at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. However, just moments after taking to the track in the endurance race, the Dutchman faced a hair-raising moment.
Max Verstappen – ADAC Ravenol 24h Race at the Nurburgring – Source: Getty
Max Verstappen and Co. qualified P4 for the Nurburgring 24 Hours and started on the second row with Daniel Juncadella in the car. During the first pitstop, Verstappen replaced his fellow teammate and strapped in for the #3 Verstappen Racing entry’s second stint.
The Red Bull driver came in effective P4 and started chasing the #7 Lamborghini. Just a few minutes into the action, as Verstappen was on the gearbox of the Lamborghini, he went a bit quickly through a left turn, followed by an undulation.
As the Dutchman went over the undulation, the #3 Mercedes AMG GT3 caught air, landed with two wheels on the grass, and almost crashed into the barrier. However, Verstappen was able to keep the car from going into the barrier and continued following the Lamborghini before eventually overtaking it just a few minutes later.
An onboard video from Max Verstappen’s car of the hair-raising moment was shared on the social media platform X. Another angle of a car following the #3 Mercedes also surfaced on the internet, as it can be clearly seen how close the Dutchman was to crashing the car into the barrier.
Daniel Juncadella started P4 and got up into P2 by the end of the first lap. However, while following the lead and passing traffic, he tried making a move on the leader, which backfired. The Lamborghini shut the door, Juncadella was stuck behind a slower BMW, and a couple of rivals from the SP9 class passed him.
Max Verstappen reacts after Nurburgring 24H qualifying
The #3 Verstappen Racing entry operated by Winward Racing finished P3 in both qualifying sessions on Thursday. During the Friday top qualifying 2, Max Verstappen took to the track and qualified P6, making it into the Top 7, with Daniel Juncadella taking to the circuit for the TQ3, and managing P4.
Speaking about the lap in TQ2, Verstappen said,
“I felt good in the car. Of course, our goal was to get into the Top Qualifying 3. That isn’t an easy task with this level of competition. There are a lot of fast cars, but we managed to do it. The last lap was just fast enough. Luckily it was dry and the car felt good.”
Three hours into the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, Verstappen got into the lead of the race after passing the #34 Aston Martin.
