NÜRBURG, Germany (AP) — Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen is taking on a “bucket list” challenge as he prepares to tackle his first 24-hour sportscar race at the historic Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit.
Verstappen and his sportscar racing team said Monday that he plans to take on the storied endurance race in May, sharing a Red Bull -liveried Mercedes-AMG GT3 car with teammates Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer.
“The Nürburgring Nordschleife is a special place. There’s no other track like it," Verstappen said. “The 24h Nürburgring is a race that’s been on my bucket list for a long time, so I’m really thrilled we can make it happen now.”
Running nearly 13 miles (20.8 kilometers) through wooded German hills, with more than 150 corners and barriers often close to the track, the Nordschleife layout at the Nürburgring is known for high-risk thrills. F1 hasn't used it since 1976, when then-reigning champion Niki Lauda suffered severe burns in a crash.
Verstappen made his debut at the circuit in September in a slower GT4-specification car in a four-hour race which served as his test to get a full permit to race faster cars on the circuit. He returned and won another race in a GT3 Ferrari later that month.
Verstappen's team says he plans to also enter a race there March 21 to prepare for the 24-hour challenge, fitting that appearance in between this week's Chinese Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29. The 24-hour race starts at 3 p.m. local time on May 16 and ends the following day, a week before the Canadian Grand Prix.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands reacts as he talks with his team during the third practice session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Scott Barbour)
IRed Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands arrives at the track ahead of the third practice session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Scott Barbour)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands walks down the F1 Paddock ahead of the first practice session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS
The World Cup will be played in 16 cities from June 11 to July 19, including 14 in the U.S. There are players in Major League Soccer vying for spots on the 26-man U.S. roster, to be announced by coach Mauricio Pochettino in New York on May 26. Six-to-10 MLS players are projected to make the roster. Additional players will be selected for other teams in the 48-nation World Cup field. In 2022, 35 MLS players were on rosters of 12 of the 32 teams.
READ SOME OF AP'S LATEST WORLD CUP COVERAGE
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FIND PLAYERS WITH TIES TO YOUR LOCAL TEAM
View this spreadsheet to find MLS players who are competing for a spot on a FIFA World Cup Team. The spreadsheet also includes their hometowns and where they went to school.
Some spots are already secured or likely, but final rosters are expected to be published by FIFA on June 1. Some coaches may announce before that. Changes can be made up until 24 hours before a team’s first game.
The spreadsheet includes players from the following U.S. and Canadian club teams:
Atlanta United
Austin
Charlotte
Chicago Fire
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew
D.C. United
Cincinnati
Dallas
Inter Miami
LA Galaxy
LAFC
Minnesota United
Nashville
New England Revolution
New York City FC
Orlando City
Philadelphia Union
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
New York Red Bulls
San Diego
Seattle Sounders
Toronto
Vancouver Whitecaps
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This year’s World Cup games could be sizzling. Here’s what’s being done to prepare for extreme heat
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17-year-old sensation Gilberto Mora could make World Cup history for Mexico
Boston World Cup host committee says tailgating will be allowed for Foxborough games
New York City to hold free World Cup fan events in each borough
4 tickets to World Cup final are listed on FIFA’s resale site for more than $2 million
Localize It is a resource produced regularly by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to the Local News Success team at localizeit@ap.org. View guides published in the last 30 days here.
The FIFA logo is displayed on a World Cup countdown timer outside BC Place stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Monday, May 4, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
