When Max Verstappen lines up for the Nürburgring 24 Hours on May 16, he won't just be chasing victory—he'll be writing a new chapter in a storied tradition. The four-time Formula 1 world champion is the latest in a legendary line of F1 drivers who have traded the precision of Grand Prix circuits for the raw, unforgiving challenge of the "Green Hell."
Since the race's inception in 1970, more than 30 Formula 1 drivers have competed in this endurance classic on the Nordschleife. But Verstappen brings something special: his championship pedigree. With four world titles, he outranks nearly every F1 driver who has taken on the 24-hour marathon. Only icons like Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, and Jack Brabham come close in terms of titles—and Lauda remains the sole F1 world champion to have actually won the race, back in 1973.
Experience is another area where Verstappen stands out. With over 230 Grand Prix starts, he has more race entries than any other F1 driver who has ever competed in the 24 Hours. That's a testament to his longevity and dominance—though it's worth noting that today's packed F1 calendar makes those numbers easier to achieve than in the 1980s.
But there are records Verstappen can't yet touch. Hans-Joachim Stuck holds the all-time mark with 19 Nürburgring 24 Hours starts between 1970 and 2011, including three victories. Markus Winkelhock (16 starts, three wins) and Pedro Lamy also loom large. Lamy, in fact, is the most successful former F1 driver in the race's history with five overall victories—a benchmark Verstappen can only dream of matching.
The list of F1 drivers who have tackled the Nordschleife reads like a who's who of German motorsport. Names like Bernd Schneider, Christian Danner, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen all made the switch from Grand Prix racing to the endurance classic, drawn by the track's deep historical and geographical ties to their home country.
Where will Verstappen land on this list? In his previous outings, he has shown he can fight at the front immediately, twice battling for the lead with seasoned endurance racers. Whether he can conquer the Green Hell and add his name to the winners' circle remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: he's in elite company.