Verstappen confirms Nürburgring 24 Hours entry as Hamilton gets clarity on stewards’ call

Two storylines set the early tone of Formula 1’s new season: Max Verstappen has added the ADAC RAVENOL 24 Hours of Nürburgring to his 2026 programme, and Lewis Hamilton has learned the outcome of a Melbourne practice investigation after a high‑speed near‑miss.

Verstappen’s expanded 2026 programme, and what it signals

Verstappen will contest the Nürburgring 24 Hours in a Mercedes‑AMG GT3 under the Verstappen Racing banner, with a Red Bull‑backed livery. His GT lineup includes Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella, with an initial appearance scheduled at the NLS2 round on March 21 to prepare for the 24‑hour classic in mid‑May. The entry will run car number 3 and was unveiled via a dramatic BASE‑jump reveal in Meppen, Germany.

This is a notable competitive and commercial move. On track, GT endurance miles sharpen traffic management, stint discipline and night‑running skills that translate to race‑craft under the 2026 F1 regulations, which will reset how teams balance power units, energy recovery and aerodynamic efficiency. Off track, it underscores how modern driver programmes straddle categories: an F1 champion contracted to Red Bull racing a Mercedes‑AMG GT3 illustrates that cross‑brand collaborations can coexist when calendars, permissions and partner objectives align, provided they fit within the commercial and safety guidelines agreed between teams and the championship’s rights holder.

• Preparation race: NLS2, March 21
• Main event: Nürburgring 24 Hours, mid‑May (race week traditionally spans several days with multiple qualifying sessions)

For Verstappen’s Red Bull team, the calculation is finely balanced. Extra racing carries additional physical and operational risk, yet the Nürburgring’s mix of public‑road surfaces, traffic and variable weather offers race‑craft tuition difficult to replicate in a simulator. With the 2026 Formula 1 calendar expected to run close to 24 Grands Prix, this side programme also tests how far elite drivers can stretch their commitments without compromising peak performance on Sunday afternoons.

Stewards clear Colapinto after Hamilton scare in Melbourne

Hamilton’s close call in Australian GP Practice 2 is now formally closed. The stewards determined “no further action” after reviewing Alpine driver Franco Colapinto’s slow‑moving car on the main straight, accepting the team’s explanation of a false neutral and the driver’s positioning toward the designated exit point. The decision references Article B1.8.5 regarding unnecessarily slow driving and notes that Hamilton, who took evasive action, had a line of sight before the overtake point. Document issued March 6, 2026.

• Session: FP2, Australian Grand Prix (March 6, 2026)
• Driver: Car 43, Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
• Decision: No further action under Article B1.8.5
• Key reasoning: Mechanical issue (“false neutral”); car positioned toward the marked exit; no erratic driving observed

Why that matters: as the field adapts to a refreshed regulatory landscape, this outcome emphasizes that mechanical context and adherence to the Race Director’s competition notes will weigh heavily in 2026 stewarding. The ruling also illustrates how the FIA International Sporting Code and the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations are interpreted in real time when assessing whether a driver’s conduct is “unnecessarily slow” or a by‑product of a technical fault.

For drivers, it reiterates dual responsibilities during practice runs-managing closing speeds while anticipating atypical situations when rivals are following team instructions to reach exit points safely. For teams and the championship, it is another test of the post‑2021 push for more transparent and predictable officiating, in which stewards’ written explanations are expected to demonstrate consistency across similar incidents.

The competitive picture

Verstappen’s endurance commitment arrives in a compressed early‑season window, demanding careful load management between simulator, travel and GT preparations. Teams typically grant extracurricular permissions when safety protocols are met, but the upside is clear: high‑intensity multi‑class experience can refine race‑management instincts valuable across a 24‑race F1 calendar and can deepen a driver’s feel for tyre behaviour, traffic management and fuel‑saving strategy under pressure.

At the same time, the Melbourne decision offers an early reference point for how closely stewards will scrutinise slow cars on racing lines under the 2026 framework. As the governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile has sought to reduce grey areas around dangerous incidents, and this case will be noted in future briefings between teams, drivers and officials ahead of high‑speed venues later in the year.

Key dates

• March 21, 2026: NLS2 shakedown for Verstappen’s GT3 entry (Nürburgring)
• Mid‑May 2026: ADAC RAVENOL 24 Hours of Nürburgring race week, including practice, qualifying and the 24‑hour race