Verstappen overlooks F1 when naming his most enjoyable race of 2026

Verstappen's Nurburgring 24 Hours campaign earlier this year saw him emerge as a genuine contender for victory, with the Dutchman and his team establishing themselves among the leading crews during the endurance classic. He adapted quickly to the changing conditions and kept the car in contention as the hours passed.

His hopes of completing a remarkable victory on his debut, when seemingly nothing could stop him, eventually disappeared when the car was forced to retire due to a driveshaft problem, bringing an early end to what was shaping up to be an impressive first appearance.

Speaking to the BBC, Verstappen expanded on why the Nürburgring 24 Hours proved to be such a memorable experience for him. Racing alongside Chris Lulham, Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon was one of the aspects he particularly appreciated, while the Dutchman believed they possessed the pace to mount a strong challenge after finding their best form at exactly the right moment.

For Verstappen, much of the appeal also came from the raw nature of the competition. Changing weather made the Nordschleife increasingly treacherous as drizzle reduced grip, while accidents and Code 60 periods added another layer of difficulty. There was also curiosity over how he would cope under pressure with situations he never previously experienced in this type of event.