Max Verstappen had a quiet debut in the night activities of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The Dutch driver completed only one lap during the second qualifying session this Thursday, marked by heavy rain on the German circuit.
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Even with the weather difficulties, Verstappen and his team finished the first day in third overall position, behind the Mercedes #80 and the Audi #1. The result, however, had limited importance, as the pole position will be decided only on Friday, during the special qualifying reserved for the fastest GT cars.
The second session’s main objective was to allow drivers and teams to gain experience on the Nordschleife in adverse conditions. Verstappen used the period to adapt to the Mercedes AMG both in the dark and on a wet track, something considered essential for the main race.
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The track conditions were especially challenging throughout the activity. While some sections of the circuit over 25 kilometers long were completely wet, other parts remained dry, making driving even more complex and unpredictable for all competitors.
Because of the heavy rain, Verstappen had to wait until the last hour of the session to complete his first night lap at Nürburgring. Despite the mileage limitation, the scenario was seen as an important learning opportunity, especially because the weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday indicates conditions similar to those faced this Thursday.
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