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Exciting Moments Unfold in First Qualifying for Nurburgring 24 Hours
Highlights
- #80 Ravenol Mercedes tops first qualifying with Schiller’s 8:14.957 lap
- Max Verstappen’s #3 Team Verstappen Mercedes initially led qualifying
- Rowe Racing’s #1 BMW placed second; #99 BMW finished in top five
- Alexander Hardt’s #900 Porsche caught fire; no injuries reported
- Rain near session end prevented further lap time improvements
- Three qualifying sessions on Friday will set final starting grid
Fabian Schiller sets the benchmark in Thursday’s opening Nürburgring 24 Hours qualifying, posting 8:14.957 in the #80 Ravenol Mercedes. Rain late in the session locks the order after early dry running.
The multi-part format means Friday’s three sessions will decide the grid. Even so, the first outing offers a clear read on one-lap potential and who adapts quickest to evolving conditions.
Max Verstappen establishes the initial target in the #3 Team Verstappen Mercedes with an 8:18.539, leading much of the two-hour window before the weather shift limits late improvements.
Schiller’s 8:14.957 puts the #80 Ravenol Mercedes P1 in opening qualifying.
Schiller finds over three seconds on Verstappen’s best to lead the times. The lap underlines Mercedes’ early balance and confidence, crucial on a low-grip surface that punishes hesitation.
Rowe Racing’s defending winners look immediately relevant. Raffaele Marciello places the #1 BMW second, while the sister #99 BMW features in the top five alongside the #911 Manthey Porsche.
Verstappen’s 8:18.539 leads most of the session before being eclipsed late on dry tyres.
The headline fight forms across Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche. That mix, plus changing track grip, suggests Friday’s phases will pivot on traffic management and the risk window before rain.
Drama interrupts the run plan when Alexander Hardt’s #900 Porsche GT3 Cup catches fire and stops on track. The stationary car is narrowly avoided by the #146 WS Racing entry.
No injuries are reported after the #900 Porsche fire and near-miss with the #146 WS Racing car.
As the clock winds down, rain arrives and shuts the performance window. That cements the #80 Mercedes on top, with the #1 Rowe BMW second and Team Verstappen’s Mercedes third.
Positions six through ten go to the #130 Team ABT Lamborghini, #77 Schubert BMW, #64 HRT Ford, #16 Scherer Sport PHX Audi, and #17 Dunlop Porsche, rounding out a brand-diverse top 10.
Attention now turns to Friday. Cooler temperatures, traffic, and tyre phase timing will be decisive. The frontrunners’ Thursday pace sets a reference, but grid order remains wide open.
Visual Summary
#80 Mercedes
Fabian Schiller
8:14.957
Ravenol Racing
#1 BMW
R. Marciello
8:16.xxx
Rowe Racing
#3 Mercedes
M. Verstappen
8:18.539
Team Verstappen
🔥
#900 Porsche GT3
(Hardt)
🚑
#900 Porsche GT3
(Hardt)
🚑
▶️
#146 WS Racing
(Carrie Schreiner)
💨
#146 WS Racing
(Carrie Schreiner)
💨
Huge scare! #146 nearly collides with the burning Porsche—no injuries.
Top-10: Early Pace-setters at Nurburgring ⏱️
1. #80 Mercedes (Ravenol Racing)
2. #1 BMW (Rowe Racing)
3. #3 Mercedes (Team Verstappen)
4. #99 BMW (Rowe Racing)
5. #911 Porsche (Manthey)
6-10: #130 Lamborghini, #77 BMW, #64 Ford, #16 Audi, #17 Porsche
⚡ Friday: Two more sessions – grid battles & final shootout await!
Zane Muniz writes across NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, IMSA, NHRA, and dirt-racing news. His breaking-news alerts and event previews ensure motorsport fans never miss a lap, drift, or drag-strip showdown.
