Mercedes and team boss Toto Wolff have made a Max Verstappen request after an issue emerged regarding the four-time world champion in the build-up to the new F1 season
Toto Wolff and Mercedes are among those pressuring the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) to delay their 2026 season opener in March.
This would enable Max Verstappen to participate in the Nurburgring 24 Hours race later in the year. A report from Motorsport-Total reveals Verstappen has been given the all-clear to drive for Winward Racing, the Mercedes-AMG Performance Team. Both Mercedes and Red Bull’s F1 operations have approved the programme, which would see the four-time F1 world champion line up on the grid at the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May.
Yet whilst Verstappen now possesses his NLS licence following his racing debut last year, the 28-year-old faces another problem. To take part in the 24-hour race, drivers must participate in one of the preparatory races, but currently, all three NLS races before the endurance event conflict with the F1 timetable.
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Altering the F1 calendar is impossible due to the enormous logistical requirements, but Mercedes chiefs Ola Kallenius and Wolff have reportedly campaigned for NLS to shift its season opener, presently scheduled to clash with the Chinese Grand Prix on March 14.
According to Mike Jager, the NLS chief, a request to delay NLS1 has already been submitted. “The request for a possible postponement has now been submitted, but nothing more than that,” he confirmed.
“We are currently looking into this, but nothing has been decided yet. It has to suit everyone.”
If the NLS decides to postpone the race to accommodate Verstappen’s participation, the event will be rescheduled for the following weekend on March 21. This would slot it between the F1 Grands Prix in China and Japan.
Verstappen has been vocal about his desire to compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours since making his NLS debut in 2025. “I like racing in general, also outside of F1,” he stated at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after securing his NLS permit.
“I knew that if I wanted to get my permit, I needed to do that race, and we just went about it. It was all organised very well. They were all very helpful as well from the organisation side. Every lap that you do around there is a different kind of experience, so for me it was still very useful even though people say the car is down-tuned and it must be very boring.
“Of course, the car is not the most exciting to drive, but I look at it in a different way. You try to then focus on other things that might be useful in the future when you go there with a proper car. I had fun, it’s a nice environment to be in, a bit different to F1.”
Verstappen faces a crucial season ahead at Red Bull, with the Milton Keynes team set to use a brand-new Ford-powered engine from 2026 and beyond.