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Toto Wolff battles for Max Verstappen’s iconic Nurburgring 24 Hours debut amid F1 chaos

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
January 19, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Toto Wolff battles for Max Verstappen’s iconic Nurburgring 24 Hours debut amid F1 chaos

Formula One F1 - Belgian Grand Prix - Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot, Belgium - July 26, 2025 Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff REUTERS/Manon Cruz

Toto Wolff’s Bold Move: Is Max Verstappen on the Brink of a Historic Nurburgring Debut?

In an electrifying twist to the Formula 1 saga, Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff is reportedly championing a cause that could see Dutch racing sensation Max Verstappen make a sensational debut at the legendary Nurburgring 24 Hours in 2026. With the new F1 season set to rev up in just two months, the stakes are soaring as Verstappen gears up for a season where he’ll don the number 3 on his Red Bull car after narrowly missing out on retaining his drivers’ title in 2025. The coveted number 1 will instead belong to reigning champion Lando Norris, as all 22 drivers prepare to race under a groundbreaking set of technical regulations.

The 2026 calendar is packed to the brim, kicking off with back-to-back Grands Prix in Australia and China. However, this schedule could potentially pose significant challenges for Verstappen. The 28-year-old driver, who recently committed to Red Bull amidst swirling rumors of a move to Mercedes, has firmly stated that a switch before his contract expires in 2028 is unlikely. Yet, one enticing opportunity has captured his attention: the chance to compete in the iconic Nurburgring 24 Hours.

Mercedes-AMG has taken decisive action, submitting an official request to the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) to postpone the NLS1 race date, which currently conflicts with Verstappen’s potential participation in the endurance classic. The Mercedes-AMG team Winward has already expressed their commitment to racing in six NLS events this year, including the prestigious 24-hour race. Now, negotiations are in full swing to clear the path for Verstappen’s entry into this historic event.

Insider reports reveal that both Red Bull and Mercedes have given a tentative thumbs-up for Verstappen’s Nurburgring return. However, a significant hurdle remains: the clash between the NLS race schedule and the F1 calendar. According to Motorsport-Total.com, high-level discussions are underway, with Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius and motorsport chief Toto Wolff personally advocating for the postponement of the NLS season opener, which is currently set to coincide with the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Shanghai.

NLS boss Mike Jager has downplayed rumors of any immediate changes to the schedule, stating, “The request for a possible postponement has now been submitted, but nothing more than that.” However, if the NLS1 race were to be pushed back, it could potentially be rescheduled to March 21, perfectly slotting between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix.

Despite the uncertainty, Verstappen is not sitting idle. He has been diligently preparing for the Nurburgring, recently logging crucial practice time in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Portimao. With his focus split between the Nurburgring and Red Bull’s upcoming 2026 car launch in Detroit, it’s clear that the racing world is buzzing with anticipation over this potential crossover event.

As the clock ticks down to the F1 season opener, all eyes will be on Wolff’s strategic maneuvering to make Verstappen’s Nurburgring dream a reality. Will the stars align for the Dutch star to make his mark in this grueling endurance race? One thing is certain: the racing community is on the edge of its seat, eagerly awaiting what could be a historic chapter in motorsport history.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2019-red-bull-crandon-world-cup2025-football-season2025-nurburgring-24-hoursLando Norrismax-verstappen-enmercedes-f1-esports-teamToto Wolff
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