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 unmatched
As 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 appearance
Among 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.