The 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours got underway in dramatic fashion, with Dani Juncadella behind the wheel of the #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes GT3 for the opening stint.
Juncadella started in fourth and immediately overtook Christopher Haase’ Audi for third, before drama struck the #99 BMW.
Dan Harper spun but managed to continue, while polesitter Milko Bortoletti suffered a puncture after slight contact with Juncadella.
A pit stop was needed, promoting Juncadella into second. Serious skill was then required following heavy pressure from Kevin Estre in the Porsche. Estre made an electric start, as did race leader the #130 Lamborghini.
Marco Mapelli was behind the wheel of the #130 for the start and tried to build a lead. Behind, Estre lost third at the end of the opening lap, to the #7 Lamborghini, with the Italian manufacturer looking fast despite having gained five kilograms through BoP.
Traffic was met in the opening stint which saw Mapelli’s lead vanish, creating an opportunity for Juncadella. However, the Spaniard hit the race leader and lost two positions after Mapelli slowed.
Shortly after the race settled down, Mapelli received a huge 32-second penalty for a false start, before Estre forced a rival off the circuit while fighting for second.
Lap five saw the opening pit stops, with Juncadella pitting a lap later with Max Verstappen taking over.
