The 54th ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring race is about to begin. And whether you experience it yourself at the track, in front of the TV, or streaming it on the go – this race will go down in history. Not only because it takes place on the most demanding endurance circuit in the world, but also because, for the first time, a reigning Formula 1 World Champion will be competing: Max Verstappen.
In this preview you get everything you need to know about the 24-hour weekend: favorites, weather conditions, start times, TV coverage – and why this edition is an exception even for Nordschleife veterans.
The key data about the race
• Event: ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring 2026 (54th edition)
• Date: Saturday, May 16, 3:30 p.m. – Sunday, May 17, 3:30 p.m.
• Track: Total Nürburgring track (25.378 km = Nordschleife + GP circuit)
• Starters: approximately 160 vehicles in eight classes
• Expected audience: over 220,000 over four days
• TV/Stream: NITRO (komplett live), ran.de, RaceRoom TV
The World Champion Effect: Verstappen Racing
Max Verstappen is competing with his own team, Verstappen Racing. The car is a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo. The driver lineup consists of Verstappen himself, Lucas Auer, and two other experienced Nordschleife professionals for the long night stints. The car proudly displays the number 33 – a number that holds cult status for every Verstappen fan.
The Dutchman has repeatedly demonstrated his seriousness about the race in recent weeks. He made his NLS debut in a Ferrari 296 GT3 back in September 2025 – and won his class start. On April 18th and 19th, 2026, he completed the mandatory qualifiers. Since then, he has reportedly logged more than 40 hours in the simulator on the entire circuit. For an active F1 driver simultaneously defending a world championship, this level of commitment is rarely seen.
The open question: Can he really compete for a podium finish? The insiders' answer is: Yes, in dry conditions and with one of the top three AMGs, anything is possible. However, in the rain, it will be extremely challenging for a Nordschleife rookie.
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The favorites for the overall victory
Besides Verstappen's team, the field is as strong as ever. The realistic favorites for overall victory are:
Rowe Racing (BMW M4 GT3)
Rowe Racing has won the race several times in recent years – most recently in 2024. The combination of a strong driver lineup, extremely reliable BMW technology and a pit crew that has been working perfectly together for years makes them the perennial favorite.
Manthey EMA (Porsche 911 GT3 R)
Manthey is synonymous with Porsche at the Nürburgring. Eleven overall victories, countless podium finishes. In difficult conditions (rain, fog), the Manthey Porsche is always among the contenders.
Audi Sport Team Phoenix (Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II)
Phoenix is the most experienced Audi team at the Nürburgring. After a weak 2025 season, the team aims to make a comeback in 2026.
Verstappen Racing (Mercedes-AMG GT3)
As a Mercedes customer team with factory support from AMG, Verstappen Racing has the chance to compete on the front row – provided all four drivers complete their stints cleanly.
The weather drama that always comes with it
The Eifel region is unpredictable in May. In the last ten years, the 24-hour race has only had consistently dry conditions three times. Heavy rain, hail, fog – it's all happened before. In 2016, the race was even interrupted for hours because dense fog reduced visibility on the Döttinger Höhe to below 50 meters.
Current forecast for the weekend: mixed. Saturday afternoon is expected to start with temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius, with showers forecast for the night. The weather is expected to improve on Sunday. For those traveling to the area: remember to pack rain gear and thermal layers. Nights in the Eifel region can be quite cold, even in May.
The sections of the route you should pay attention to
Foxhole
The descent into the Fuchsröhre (Foxhole) is one of the most spectacular sections for spectators. Glowing brakes, high speeds, numerous overtaking maneuvers. In the Fuchsröhre, it is often decided who pays the price for strategy and who wins.
carousel
The Caracciola Carousel is one of the most popular spectator areas. GT3 cars in the banked concrete curve – iconic images.
Döttinger Höhe
The longest straight on the track. Speeds of around 300 km/h are reached here. Slipstreaming and overtaking maneuvers are commonplace.
Tickets and spectators: more than ever before
Anyone planning to attend in person in 2026 secured their spot early: Camping pitches sold out within hours in January 2026. Day tickets were gone by March. The so-called Verstappen weekend is sold out like only those events featuring prominent Ferrari drivers.
Tip for those who decide at the last minute: There are often still some tickets available at the grandstands along the Grand Prix section. The atmosphere there is less relaxed than at Brünnchen or Adenauer Forst, but you'll see more races in less time.
How you can follow the race
• TV: NITRO will broadcast the entire race live (approximately 24 hours continuously).
• Stream: ran.de presents its own production with onboard feeds
• International: 24hseries.com stream with English commentary
• Radio: Radio Nürburgring on 107.3 FM in the Eifel region
• App: The official 24-hour app shows live timing, positions, and pit stops.
What the race means for the Nordschleife
An active Formula 1 world champion on the Green Hell – this has never happened before. The last comparable situation was in 1970: Jackie Stewart, then F1 champion, started in the ADAC 1000 km race. Verstappen's participation in 2026 is a turning point. It shows that the Nordschleife is once again desirable for active Formula 1 drivers – as the most genuine driving challenge in the world.
Whether Verstappen wins or not, the 2026 24-hour race will change the international perception of the Nordschleife. Viewership in the USA and Asia, where Verstappen has a huge fan base, will reach record levels.
The Nordschleife for the wall
If you're watching the race and the images linger in your mind long afterward: Our 3D-printed frames of the Nordschleife and the entire track are the perfect way to visualize your passion. Both versions show the true elevation profile – the 300-meter difference in altitude that Verstappen will conquer around 180 times during those 24 hours becomes physically tangible. Made in Germany, with millimeter precision, and ideally combined with two other tracks in the Bundle Builder.
Ready to put your passion on display?
At AP10 Studios We create your favorite route as a 3D-printed frame — Made in Germany, with a true elevation profile and premium finish. More than 15,000 customers and partners already trust us. Use our Bundle Builder to create your own personalized route set and save money.
