LIVE | Follow Max Verstappen in action during Nurburgring 24 Hours Qualifying 1

Everything is set for the start of a long and demanding weekend at the Nordschleife, with today and tomorrow’s sessions set to determine the enormous starting grid featuring no fewer than 161 cars entered for the event. The green flag will wave on Saturday at 15:00 local time, beginning a gruelling countdown that will only come to an end 24 hours later when the chequered flag finally falls.

The main attraction, it goes without saying, is of course Max Verstappen. After securing the A Permit required to compete last year and taking part in several events over recent weeks, the four-time world champion is now ready to chase one of the most prestigious victories in motorsport alongside his teammates aboard the Mercedes-AMG GT3, taking on one of the most iconic circuits in the world.

Thursday’s schedule begins with Qualifying 1 at 12:55 local time, giving drivers their first real opportunity to settle into the circuit while also determining the grid positions of the remaining 112 participants across the classes outside the main categories. Later in the evening, Qualifying 2 will get underway at 19:40, with the mandatory session allowing all drivers to gain valuable experience in night-time conditions ahead of Saturday night’s crucial stints.

The weather could become a significant factor during the opening day of the Nürburgring 24 Hours weekend, particularly with both Qualifying 1 and Qualifying 2 scheduled for Thursday. According to The Weather, the day is expected to start with cloudy conditions around the Nordschleife before the possibility of scattered rain showers increases later in the afternoon.

Temperatures are forecast to reach a maximum of around 8°C, while south-westerly winds between 15 and 25 km/h are also expected throughout the day. Current forecasts place the chance of rain at approximately 30%. As the circuit transitions into the evening session, conditions should remain largely overcast, with temperatures dropping sharply to around 2°C for the night-time running. Winds are expected to weaken slightly, shifting from the northwest at roughly 10 to 15 km/h, while the risk of rain falls to 20% overnight.