Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen is leading the Nürburgring 24 Hours in his first attempt, with Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVOs taking the top two spots. Verstappen, driving the No. 3 Mercedes, took the lead in the 12th hour of the race, passing Maro Engel in the No. 80 sister car. The two Mercedes have been battling for the top spot, with Verstappen and Engel exchanging the lead multiple times.
Verstappen's lead is currently at around four seconds, with the No. 80 Mercedes in second place. The No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, driven by Sheldon Van der Linde, is in third place, but has fallen behind the leading Mercedes duo. The defending winner of the N24, the No. 1 ROWE racing GT3, has retired from the race due to a fuel tank problem.
The GT3-esque M3 Touring 24H No. 81 has been running with the GT3 front runners for most of the race and is currently in fifth place overall, leading the special SP-X class. As the race hits its halfway mark, 10 SP9 cars remain on the lead lap, and 25 of the 41 entered cars are still in the race.
Max Verstappen, who has been driving in his first endurance racing night shift, has been impressive, taking the lead in the No. 3 Mercedes and holding off his teammate Engel. The battle between the two Mercedes drivers has been intense, with both drivers refusing to give up the lead.
Source: roadandtrack.com
