Nürburgring 24 Hours qualifying: Max Verstappen’s key role in row two success

The Verstappen Racing #3 Mercedes made the second row, as the Nürburgring 24 Hours ramped up on Friday. Max Verstappen played a crucial role.

Verstappen ensured that his team reached the all-important pole shootout as a thrilling Top Qualifying 2 one-lap battle broke out. Daniel Juncadella sealed the deal in Top Qualifying 3, securing the #3 car a place on row two for the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

Max Verstappen’s team secure second row start

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Before the TQ3 excitement got underway, the remaining 112 cars from various other classes, had been out on track to lock in their starting spots for the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

The theme of changeable weather continued, with further rainfall dousing the track during Qualifying 3.

The sun was shining again for the all-important TQ3 shootout for pole.

Each driver was allowed two timed laps, and would set off in intervals, rather than the full pack style of TQ1 and TQ2. 12 drivers would partake.

All cars had to begin with a full tank of fuel. The running order was drawn at random.

Daniel Juncadella was at the wheel of the Verstappen Racing #3 Mercedes for this all-important session, after Verstappen’s efforts ensured the team’s TQ3 spot.

An opening 8:21.39 from the #911 Porsche was quickly bumped down the order.

Juncadella put down a 8:18.537 for his first attempt, but the leading pace was blistering. A Lamborghini 1-2-3 had formed, headed by the #130 car, almost seven seconds clear of Juncadella’s time.

The #16 Audi muscled into third. The #64 Ford Mustang went fourth.

Marco Mapelli, manning that leading #130 Lamborghini, instantly went about trying to stretch his 1.8s lead. Juncadella had also set off on a second and final lap, the #3 Mercedes down to ninth.

Up to second went Juncadella, a provisional front row for the #3.

A spot on the second row is what Verstappen Racing were forced to settle for.

A 8:11.123 from the #84 Lamborghini spelt pole position. Mapeli in the #130 made it a Lamborghini front-row lockout.

The #16 Audi heads row two, with the #3 Mercedes for company.

Full TQ3 results – Nürburgring 24 Hours Results: Top Qualifying 3

Max Verstappen drives #3 Mercedes into TQ3

Top Qualifying utilises a progressive elimination system, much like F1 qualifying. All eligible Top Qualifying cars begin in Top Q1, where full-field participation is allowed.

Eyes were glued to the screen when Verstappen, the four-time world champion, jumped into the #3 Mercedes for TQ2.

This 30-minute session would establish a top seven to advance into the final TQ3 segment.

There were dramas for the sister #80 Mercedes, as a slide into the barrier coming into the Hatzenbach section inflicted rear suspension damage. Session over for that car after a rare error from Maro Engel.

The head shaking as he exited the car said it all.

Verstappen had set the TQ2 pace, uncorking a 8:14.459.

With recovery vehicles on the track for the #80 Mercedes, the clock continued to tick down with a temporary pause on the flying laps.

Verstappen returned to the track with three minutes to go, as a frantic conclusion to TQ2 loomed.

We had a one-lap shootout on our hands.

An 8:10.485 from the #130 Lamborghini set a daunting benchmark.

Verstappen’s lap was just over a second shy. Now, for a nervous wait.

In sixth, Verstappen ensured his team’s place in the TQ3 shoot out for pole.

Full TQ2 results – Nürburgring 24 Hours Results: Top Qualifying 2

Verstappen Racing advances from TQ1

From this session, only the fastest cars progressed, with Top Q2 restricted to the 20 quickest entries from Top Q1.

As five cars had already qualified for TQ3, but were eligible to run in the prior stages of Top Qualifying, it meant that up to the top 25 positions could theoretically secure progression from TQ1 to TQ2.

The following cars were already qualified for the final TQ3 session:

1 #45 Realize Kondo Racing with Rinaldi Ferrari 296 GT3 evo 26 SP9 Pro

2 #16 Scherer Sport PHX Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II SP9 Pro

3 #47 KCMG Mercedes-AMG GT3 SP9 Pro

4 #1 Rowe Racing BMW M4 GT3 Evo SP9 Pro

5 #84 Red Bull Team Abt Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo 2 SP9 Pro

As the light went green, and the clock began ticking down from 30 minutes, the cars flooded out onto the circuit.

A drying track greeted the drivers, following the hail dramas from Thursday.

Lucas Auer was first up at the wheel of the #3 Mercedes.

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The #33 Audi R8 found the wall early in the session, scuppering those who were attempting to get a fast lap on the board out of the blocks.

The #911 Porsche, with Kévin Estre at the wheel, was encountering major traffic headaches around the tight and twisty Nordschleife as that car looked to set a lap.

A 8:26.683 from the #64 Ford Mustang served as an early benchmark, as the track continued to dry.

With 10 minutes to go, the #130 Lamborghini on a 8:14.734 was now the car to chase.

That remained the P1 time as the clock reached zero, but multiple cars remained on a flying lap.

A 8:14.871 from Auer rubber-stamped the Verstappen Racing #3 Mercedes’ progression to TQ2.

Full TQ1 results – Nürburgring 24 Hours Results: Top Qualifying 1

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