NEWS

08 May, Friday

Insight - What the Nordschleife and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring Mean for the Automotive Industry

What role does the 24 Hours of Nürburgring play for companies in the automotive industry? The answer lies not only between the starting grid and the checkered flag, but above all in the development work that precedes the big event. Because before the battle for positions begins at the ADAC RAVENOL 24 Hours of Nürburgring, the Nordschleife serves as the central testing ground for performance...
Insight - What the Nordschleife and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring Mean for the Automotive Industry

08.05.2026

What role does the 24 Hours of Nürburgring play for companies in the automotive industry? The answer lies not only between the starting grid and the checkered flag, but above all in the development work that precedes the big event. Because before the battle for positions begins at the ADAC RAVENOL 24 Hours of Nürburgring, the Nordschleife serves as the central testing ground for performance under real-world extreme conditions—and at the same time as the interface between development, motorsports, and production vehicles. The unique combination of length, track characteristics, and weather conditions makes the Nordschleife a place where motorsports, industry, and product development are directly intertwined. What is proven here stands the test not only in competition—but also on the road. “The 24 Hours of Nürburgring is one of the most important motorsports events worldwide”Christoph Sagemüller, Mercedes-AMG Motorsport For Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is far more than just a single event. “The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is one of the most important motorsport events worldwide for us—not only historically, but above all strategically,” explains Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. What matters most is not just the result, but performance under real-world conditions: “Overall victories like those in 2013 and 2016 are clear proof of our brand’s performance.”The foundation for this is laid on the track itself. The Nordschleife is considered the ultimate endurance test—and a development platform at the same time. “What works here works under almost all conditions,” says Sagemüller. The insights gained there flow directly into production vehicles—for example, in the areas of driving dynamics, durability, and performance under extreme conditions. Motorsport and production are closely intertwined in this process: “Our goal is to credibly bring performance from the racetrack to the road.” Testing and development work for the performance brand therefore takes place on various levels. As part of the Nürburgring’s official test and development runs, AMG spends up to 17 weeks a year on the Nordschleife. One of the most spectacular results of this work: the Mercedes-AMG ONE—to this day, the fastest production vehicle on the 20.832-kilometer-long Nordschleife as part of the Nürburgring’s official record runs. Also developed on this legendary asphalt: the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO, the so-called “Beast of the Green Hell.” To this day, experienced race car drivers pilot visitors from all over the world around the Nordschleife in this vehicle as part of the Nürburgring’s co-pilot drives—a direct translation of development into a tangible brand experience. “An oil brand that performs on the Nordschleife is more than suitable for everyday use”Martin Huning, RAVENOL  For suppliers as well, the Nordschleife and test and development drives are a central part of their work. RAVENOL uses the track specifically to test and optimize products under real-world conditions.  “We are constantly developing new products and want to test them exactly where they will later be used,” explains Martin Huning, Director of Motorsport at RAVENOL. The Nürburgring is far more than just a test track: “Everyone knows about the special challenges of the Nordschleife. An oil brand that performs here is more than just suitable for everyday use.” The close connection between testing and competition is particularly evident in the context of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. As a title partner, RAVENOL is firmly established and supports a large portion of the vehicles in the legendary race. “In addition to a well-coordinated team and experienced drivers, what’s needed above all is a reliable overall package—and that includes the right operating fluids,” says Huning. “The Nordschleife tests the vehicle, driver, and tires all at once”Marco Lo Prato, Goodyear  Goodyear shares a similar perspective, as its tires must prove their performance under extreme conditions. For the tire manufacturer, consistency is the top priority at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. “It’s not about delivering maximum performance for a few laps, but about building reliability and trust over 24 hours,” explains Marco Lo Prato, Manager of Global Communications – Racing at Goodyear. The Nordschleife serves as a “living laboratory” where technologies must prove themselves under real-world extreme conditions. “It tests everything at once—the car, the driver, and the tires,” says Lo Prato. It is precisely these demands that make the Nürburgring a benchmark that extends far beyond motorsports: “The insights from racing flow directly into our production products. What works here builds trust—even in everyday life.” The Nordschleife as a benchmark for development It is no coincidence that even experienced teams and manufacturers return to the Nordschleife every year for targeted testing. With its 73 turns, ascents, and descents, as well as a varied mix of technical sections and high-speed stretches, the Nordschleife constantly presents new challenges for drivers, vehicles, and technology. Added to this is the unique challenge of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring itself: heavy traffic with vehicles of vastly different performance classes, changing conditions day and night, and a race distance that demands the highest precision and reliability.“The Nordschleife presents new demands every year, which is why targeted preparation is essential,” emphasizes Sagemüller. The same principle applies to everyone involved: Success is not achieved during the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, but in the weeks and months leading up to it—on the track, during testing, and through continuous development. This makes it clear: The 24 Hours of Nürburgring is not only a sporting highlight but also the most visible culmination of a comprehensive development process. The Nordschleife serves as the interface between motorsports, industry, and production vehicles—a victory at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and a successful record-breaking run stand for one thing above all else: global recognition and visibility. Or, as has always been said in the context of development work:“Everyone praises what has been tested at the Nürburgring.”

Golf GTI EDITION 50: The Nordschleife in 7:44.523 minutes!

07.05.2026

The Golf GTI EDITION 50 – with race car driver and Volkswagen test and development driver Benjamin Leuchter at the wheel – completed the 20.832-kilometer lap on the legendary race track in just 7:44.523 minutes. With its new record time, the Golf GTI EDITION 50 underscores its exceptional status in the Volkswagen model range—as the most powerful and dynamically precise production Golf GTI. On the Nordschleife, the Golf GTI EDITION 50 is thus also faster than all previous Volkswagen production models. All record drives and further information Onboard through the Green HellThe record lap of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 is now available on the Nürburgring YouTube channel. The onboard footage from the cockpit of the vehicle offers the opportunity to relive this fantastic lap. Information about the official “Nürburgring record laps”The following principle applies to all drives: one track, one complete lap, one time – according to uniform standards. In addition to timekeeping with calibrated measuring technology, official record attempts and attempts to achieve a lap time are always accompanied by a notary. In addition to monitoring the timekeeping, the vehicle is also inspected. TÜV Rheinland checks for standard conformity and documents this. The exact length of the track and the start and finish lines are precisely defined. A full lap of the Nordschleife is driven and measured with a flying start (20.8 kilometers). The vehicle categories for record drives and official lap times at the Nürburgring are divided into different segments by the Federal Motor Transport Authority and specially defined special classes.

Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey kit sets new record in 6:55.533 minutes

07.05.2026

With a new lap record on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, the new Manthey kit impressively demonstrates its dynamic qualities: The GT electric sports car equipped with it completed the 20.832-kilometer circuit in the Eifel region in 6:55.533 minutes with Porsche development driver Lars Kern at the wheel—making it over nine seconds faster than the previous record holder in the luxury electric vehicle class. At the same time, Lars Kern beat his own record—set in October 2023 in a Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach Package—by twelve seconds. All record drives and further information Onboard through the Green HellThe record lap of the Taycan Turbo GT mit Manthey Kit is now available on the Nürburgring YouTube channel. The onboard footage from the cockpit of the vehicle offers the opportunity to relive this fantastic lap. Information about the official “Nürburgring record laps”The following principle applies to all drives: one track, one complete lap, one time – according to uniform standards. In addition to timekeeping with calibrated measuring technology, official record attempts and attempts to achieve a lap time are always accompanied by a notary. In addition to monitoring the timekeeping, the vehicle is also inspected. TÜV Rheinland checks for standard conformity and documents this. The exact length of the track and the start and finish lines are precisely defined. A full lap of the Nordschleife is driven and measured with a flying start (20.8 kilometers). The vehicle categories for record drives and official lap times at the Nürburgring are divided into different segments by the Federal Motor Transport Authority and specially defined special classes.

ADAC RAVENOL 24 Hours of Nürburgring, May 14–17, 2026: First ticket categories sold out – be sure to secure your 24-hour tickets in advance!

07.05.2026

24h fans, take note! Demand—especially for Saturday of the 24h weekend—is so high that the first ticket categories are already sold out. The weekend ticket (Friday / Saturday / Sunday) and the race ticket (Saturday / Sunday) are no longer available. The event ticket category (Thursday – Sunday) is also filling up fast: only 7,500 tickets remain (as of Thursday, May 7). Anyone who wants to experience the 24h Nürburgring live on site should therefore secure their ticket as soon as possible here. In addition to the four-day ticket, single-day tickets for Thursday, Friday, and Sunday are still available. However, anyone who drives to the Ring on Saturday without a ticket, hoping for the best, will no longer be able to buy one! To alleviate congestion on Saturday—the most popular day at the 24h Nürburgring, especially given the traffic situation—the organizers have a big request for all fans: Carpool if possible, arrive very, very early on Saturday, or—even better—use the event ticket to head to the Ring as early as Thursday or Friday. Those who were actually planning just a day trip to the Ring can experience racing action on the Nordschleife until late in the evening on Corpus Christi Thursday. Sunday, with the finish at 3:00 p.m., also offers not only a great racing program but also a more relaxed journey.

24h Nürburgring to Use Full Digital Power on the Nordschleife for the First Time

04.05.2026

The digitization of the legendary Nordschleife reached the next level in the summer of 2024. Following a two-year construction phase and an investment of approximately twelve million euros, a network of 100 cameras and 46 LED panels is providing a new level of safety. Until now, the upgrade has only been used for tourist drives, track days, and test runs. At this year’s ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, this system will now be fully integrated into race operations for the first time. Seamless connectivityThe system is based on 100 cameras and 46 LED panels installed along the entire track. Thanks to the installation of 80 kilometers of electrical and data cables, the entire Nordschleife—including all 73 turns—can be monitored seamlessly. During normal operations on the Nürburgring Nordschleife—such as public driving sessions—not all track marshal posts are staffed; however, the cameras and panels allow vehicles on the track to be tracked and warnings issued in a timely manner if problems arise. At the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, this feature provides an added safety benefit. In the event of incidents—such as technical malfunctions, accidents, or slippery spots—race control can react even more quickly. “For nearly two years now, this digitalization step has allowed us to improve the flow of tourist and test drives,” reports Ingo Böder, Managing Director of Nürburgring GmbH. “Now we’re pleased that the 24 Hours of Nürburgring can also benefit from this.” Greater Safety Even in DaylightDuring public driving sessions and track days, the 46 LED panels along the GP circuit and the Nordschleife are designed to warn drivers of hazards hundreds of meters in advance, thereby preventing accidents. During the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, these will be used to assist drivers and track marshals. The focus here is on increasing safety in daylight conditions. They exclusively display the flag signal shown by the respective track marshal. Unlike the flags, the panels have no relevance under motorsport regulations. As darkness falls, the flags will be replaced by light signals, as has been the case in the past. In conjunction with other measures—such as the Incident Camera System, which enables live transmission from all cockpits—the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring is taking another major step forward in the area of safety.

Road construction work in the Nürburgring area

04.05.2026

Due to several construction and renovation projects, traffic restrictions are currently in place on major roads around the Nürburgring. Please take this into account when traveling to the area and follow the posted detours. We have compiled the most important information for you below. For further details, please visit the website of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Mobility Agency. B 257 - Asphalt work in the town of Müllenbach continues due to weather conditionsThe asphalt work underway since March 18 in the town of Müllenbach along the B 257 is expected to continue beyond March 31. This is due to the weather conditions forecast for the coming week, which are not expected to allow for the asphalt to be laid as scheduled. The work will therefore be postponed by approximately two weeks. As soon as weather conditions permit, the asphalt will be laid immediately. For the duration of the work, the affected section of the road will remain fully closed. During this time, traffic will be diverted from Wiesemscheid via the B 258 toward the Nürburgring, via the L 94 toward Welcherath, and via the B 410 toward Kelberg. The town of Müllenbach can only be accessed via Kelberg during the construction period. ℹ️ The detour is clearly signposted on site. L 93 – Road resurfacing between Müllenbach and the Nürburgring has begunSince March 24, the L 93 between Müllenbach and the Nürburgring has been undergoing extensive resurfacing. For structural and safety reasons, this work can only be carried out under a full closure. During this time, traffic will be diverted over a wide area via the B 257 toward Kelberg, and from there via the B 410 toward Hünerbach, connecting to the K 89 and L 94. Local traffic to the ADAC Driver Safety Center at the Nürburgring will be maintained via a temporary access road. The schedule for the asphalt work will be coordinated in advance with the Driver Safety Center to adjust operational procedures accordingly. Following the road resurfacing, the guardrail system will be completely replaced. For this work, a single-lane closure with traffic light control is planned. ℹ️ Current information on this, particularly regarding traffic routing, can be found in the Mobility Atlas at here.

#24hNBR – Important ticket update

30.04.2026

🎫 Ticket demand in advance sales is exceptionally high.For the first time in the history of the 24h Nürburgring, it is possible that – due to the strong pre-sale demand – the box office on-site may not open at all. So: Secure your tickets online early to make sure you don’t miss out! 🚗 A quick note on travel planning:Arrive as early as possible and allow sufficient time – both for accessing the camping areas and for race day itself. We’ll keep you updated with all relevant information in the coming weeks.

Boom in participation at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring

29.04.2026

The ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring is more than living up to its reputation as a motorsport festival of superlatives this year: With 161 entered vehicles, it will feature the largest starting field in over a decade—the last time more teams competed in this endurance classic at the Green Hell was in 2014, with 165 vehicles. Because the rush of teams is so great, even the entry regulations—which originally limited the field to 150 participants—are being adjusted. This is also made possible because many racing teams are limiting their space requirements, thereby making room for competitors and colleagues. A first glance at the starting list promises an extremely competitive field with nine GT3 manufacturers and over 40 vehicles in the top class. At the same time, the 2026 race thrives on what has always defined the 24 Hours of Nürburgring: true multi-class racing, featuring world stars, factory drivers, and Nordschleife specialists alongside ambitious privateers. ➡️ Click here to go directly to the starting grid. Max Verstappen, a prominent debutant, is a particular focus of attention. The Formula 1 world champion will be competing with his Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, sharing the Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Daniel Juncadella—three teammates who rank among the absolute best, both in terms of their track record and their Nordschleife expertise. Together, they form a lineup that is likely to set the benchmark for many competitors. The season so far on the Nordschleife also underscores this potential: At the NLS opener, the team initially secured a victory before a disqualification cost them the win; at the Qualifiers in mid-April, they continued their preparations with more laps in the lead before a technical issue forced a retirement. World-class drivers in the leading groupEven beyond the Verstappen car, the 2026 field is exceptionally strong. In the top classes—SP9, SP-Pro, SP-X, and AT1—there are a total of 49 cars competing for the coveted spots in the three-tiered top qualifying. The battle for the best starting positions will therefore be particularly intense this year, and the pressure is already enormous in qualifying. After all, in the “24-hour sprint”—which the endurance classic has evolved into—a good starting position is more important than ever if you want to compete for the overall victory. The defending champions from Rowe-BMW are sending two of their BMW M4 GT3s in pursuit of victory this year—each with a lineup of top factory drivers in the cockpit. Equally strong is the lineup from their brand colleagues at Schubert, who round out the BMW contingent. At Porsche, Manthey is once again leading the charge and sending the “Grello” #911 into the race with Kévin Estre, Thomas Preining, and Ayhancan Güven—meaning there are two DTM champions in the car. Preining secured the title in 2023, while Güven was crowned champion in 2025. Estre, in turn, won the 2021 24 Hours of Nürburgring in the Manthey Porsche. The winners of the 24h Qualifiers, Scherer PHX (Audi), are also represented, while Abt (Lamborghini), Walkenhorst (Aston Martin), Dinamic and Lionspeed (Porsche), HRT (Ford), and other top teams are bringing driver lineups to the Ring that leave little to be desired. Nine manufacturers in the top class, excitement across the entire fieldThe immense quality at the top is also reflected in the diversity of brands. With Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche, nine manufacturers are represented in the top class. In addition, there are a total of 22 other classes where teams are also competing for victories, podium finishes, and prestige. Outside the top group, things are particularly exciting in the GT4s in SP10 (13 starters) as well as in the two Porsche Cup classes (Cup 2 with 11 starters and Cup 3 with 17 starters). And so it becomes clear that the icing on the cake of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is its diversity: while the battle for overall victory rages at the front, countless other stories unfold across the field, making the race so unique. Huge Starting Grid – Made Possible by Team SpiritThe fact that 161 vehicles will be able to line up at the start in 2026 is by no means a given. This is because the entry regulations previously allowed for a maximum of 150 vehicles—primarily because the space available in the paddock and the pits barely meets the teams’ requirements anymore: where a workshop tent used to suffice for full service for many teams, trucks are now lined up. To still give all the participants mentioned a chance to start, intensive coordination was necessary in recent days. Staff from ADAC North Rhine-Westphalia sought solutions in discussions with numerous teams, reorganized the layout, and scrutinized every square meter that had been requested. Through a great deal of meticulous work, the way was cleared to accommodate the massive starting grid. “We are very pleased with the extraordinary response to the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring 2026,” says Race Director Walter Hornung. “The fact that we can bring this large and high-caliber field to the starting line is only possible because many teams have cooperated. I would like to express my sincere thanks for that. This demonstrates the special spirit of the endurance racing community at the Nordschleife: from world-class stars to private drivers, everyone is pulling together because everyone wants to be a part of this special race.”

From the Champions League to the Green Hell

28.04.2026

The news sent shockwaves through the racing world: Max Verstappen will compete in the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. The four-time Formula 1 world champion is thus capping off a long preparation phase that began with sim racing, continued through NLS races and the mandatory permit for the Nordschleife, and culminated in the prologue at the 24h Qualifiers. When the starting lights turn green on May 16, the Dutchman will become the 35th Formula 1 driver to be immortalized in the 24h’s history. With his four F1 titles, he certainly stands out from the rest. But some of the former 24 Hours drivers among the F1 veterans could and can certainly hold their own against his prominence—from Niki Lauda, who won the endurance classic at the Ring in 1973, to German F1 heroes Christian Danner, Nick Heidfeld, and Timo Glock. Verstappen also leads the statistics in terms of GP starts (236 F1 starts to date). Nelson Piquet (204 GPs) had a similarly extensive career in the premier class before competing at the Ring in 1994. Also unmatched: Verstappen’s four world championship titles, which even Piquet (champion in 1981, ’83, and ’87) as well as the 24-hour race participants Lauda (1975, ’77, and ’84) and Jack Brabham (1959, ’60, and ’66) cannot match. The Australian, who was knighted as “Sir,” came to the Eifel in 1980 but stood no chance in the Karthauser team’s Audi 80. “Striezel” Stuck also remains unmatchedAs a 24-hour rookie, there are naturally some areas where a number of Grand Prix drivers who have competed in the 24 Hours have the edge. For instance, it would take a lot of staying power to match the 19 starts at the 24 Hours that Hans-Joachim Stuck racked up from 1970 to 2011. “Striezel” secured three overall victories during this period—most notably, of course, first place at the inaugural 24 Hours in 1970. Markus Winkelhock has also recorded three victories in his 16 starts to date. However, the most successful former Formula 1 driver at the 24 Hours comes from Portugal: Pedro Lamy racked up five overall victories and six class wins between 2001 and 2010. It wasn’t just Formula 1 drivers who made an appearanceAmong the world-class drivers who found their way to the Ring for the 24 Hours were not only those from Formula 1: With Walter Röhrl (GER), Ari Vatanen (FIN), and Sébastien Loeb (FRA), three bona fide World Rally Champions were also on the starting grid. The Finn claimed one world title (1981), Röhrl two (1980 and 1982), and Loeb as many as nine (2004 to 2012). Not to mention Johnny Cecotto. Before his time in Formula 1 (1983 to 1984), the Venezuelan had won two world titles (1975 and ’78) and 14 race victories in the World Motorcycle Championship. He also made his mark at the 24 Hours of Le Mans during his four starts between 1988 and 1992—he claimed the overall victory in 1992 alongside former Formula 1 driver Christian Danner, as well as Jean-Michel Martin and Marc Duez.