Nürburgring post schedule change for Max Verstappen

The Nürburgring has released an Instagram post stating that the second round of the NLS season has been moved one week early to “build on the global visibility that the NLS gained last year through Max Verstappen’s participation.”

Credit: Luna Maas

Updated calendar

14th March 2026 – NLS 1

21st March 2026 – NLS 2

11th April 2026 – NLS 3

18th April 2026 – 24-hour Nürburgring Qualifiers 1

19th April 2026 – 24-hour Nürburgring Qualifiers 2

14th–17th May 2026 – Nürburgring 24 Hours (Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) round)

20th June 2026 – NLS 6

1st August 2026 – NLS 7

12th September 2026 – NLS 8

13th September 2026 – NLS 9

10th October 2026 – NLS 10

Since Max Verstappen tested at the Nürburgring on 9th May 2025 under the name ‘Franz Hermann’, the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) has had an uncharacteristic volume of media attention.

The latest headline from the Eifel Forest is that the second round of the NLS season (NLS 2) has been moved from 23rd March to 21st March 2026.

The NLS did not try to cover its reasoning, saying on Instagram: “Bringing the Race forward by one week takes advantage of an existing gap in the Formula One calendar, opening up participation to drivers from the premier class and other international racing series.”

They went on to say: “This also aims to further build on the global visibility that the NLS gained last year through Max Verstappen’s participation, to the benefit of all teams and competitors.”

It is understood that Mercedes, alongside Mercedes-AMG F1 Team Principal Toto Wolff, played a major role in securing the date change. The team wrote to the NLS requesting that it moves the date of the first round so Verstappen could compete and gain the necessary miles to be given permission to race in the fabled Nürburgring 24 Hours.

Motor racing fans are eager to point out that the strong link forming between the team and driver supports popular rumours that Verstappen will be racing for Mercedes in Formula One soon, but this is limited to speculation.

The decision to change the date brings a debate regarding how fair this is. The official entry list for the Race is not yet released, but it is likely to have at least 100 cars competing, each with multiple drivers and many crew members. A lot of these people will have already booked time off work from their day jobs and booked their flights and accommodation already.

Verstappen's effect is evident when a series is willing to disrupt the plans of that many stakeholders to suit one man. The Formula One World Champion competed in NLS 9 last year, which saw fans from across the world pour into the Nürburgring to watch his first competitive attempt at taking a GT3 car on the Nordschleife.

Additionally, views on the YouTube live streams of the Race climbed above the millions.

The NLS are insistent that the decision is for the “benefit of all teams and competitors.” Verstappen's participation in the NLS and Nürburgring 24 Hours will boost revenue in the local areas, and the extra income can be used to improve the facilities and operations at the track.

It is all but official that Verstappen will race at NLS 2, and it's highly likely Chris Lulham will be in the car once again to gain more experience at the track. The first time the two friends raced in the NLS together, they won by 24 seconds.

Sportscar racing regulars Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella are expected to join the duo in the 24-hour Race in May, as these are the two drivers hand-picked by Verstappen to race his Verstappen.com entry in the GT World Challenge Europe.

The opening round of the NLS will take place on 14th March 2026. Verstappen won't be competing in this one, but that is no excuse to not treat yourself to watching four hours of racing on the ‘Green Hell’. All NLS races will be live-streamed on YouTube with British or German commentary.