Toto Wolff has disclosed that Mercedes-AMG played a pivotal role in altering the dates for the preparatory races leading up to the Nürburgring 24 Hours. This adjustment was made to better accommodate Max Verstappen, whose stature as a four-time Formula 1 champion significantly impacts the audience engagement for the series.
After debuting in the GT3 category and securing a victory in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) in 2025, Verstappen has expressed a strong desire to pursue further endurance racing opportunities alongside his commitments in F1. In October, he indicated that his GT3 agenda for 2026 would hinge on the intricacies of the upcoming F1 regulations.
“Next year depends on numerous factors, to be frank. Firstly, it hinges on F1; I anticipate that the rules will be quite complicated initially, with several uncertainties involved,” he remarked.
He added, “It will likely be more chaotic than during the conclusion of a regulation cycle, where things tend to be clearer. Additionally, there’s the matter of the GT3 team’s schedule, including which vehicle we will race next year and other considerations. There are many elements that need to align before I can effectively plan ahead for myself and the rest of the drivers in the team.”
Verstappen continued, “We aim to return, but at this moment, I am uncertain how many races I can participate in next year. However, if the opportunity arises and I feel ready, along with whatever unfolds in F1, I’m definitely interested.”
In January, it was officially announced that the dates for the preparatory races for the Nürburgring 24 Hours had been modified. Wolff has now confirmed that Mercedes had a significant influence on this shift.
“It wasn’t my decision alone,” he stated during a media session in Bahrain. “It was AMG collaborating with the NLS organizers. Clearly, this change benefits all participants and enhances the series overall.”
Wolff elaborated, saying, “I’m unsure of the specific figures I’ve heard, but the disparity is striking. When Max competes, we see a staggering increase in viewership on YouTube—ranging from around 10,000 spectators for a regular NLS event to approximately 750,000 when he’s involved. It’s astonishing, and thus, changing the schedule was a no-brainer. I believe it’s fantastic for the 24-hour race and the fans to have Max participating, and of course, it’s enjoyable for us to see him driving a Mercedes.”
