Verstappen's Packed March Schedule
Max Verstappen has a packed March schedule with F1 Australia (Mar 8), China (15), NLS2 GT3 race (21), Japan (29), including driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the GT3 race. The intense schedule is generating buzz among fans as Verstappen balances F1 duties with his passion for GT racing.
Verstappen's foray into GT racing isn't a new whim; he secured his Nürburgring permit in September 2025 after completing the mandatory laps in two Porsche Caymans. He then went on to win his first-ever GT3 race in a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the same circuit just a few weeks later. His March GT3 race is part of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), a prestigious endurance championship held exclusively on the formidable Nürburgring Nordschleife. The NLS2 race date was reportedly moved up a week specifically to accommodate his participation. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 he will pilot is a proven winner in customer sports racing, known for its powerful 6.3-liter V8 engine, reliability, and excellent handling. The car weighs in at under 1,285 kg, significantly lighter than its road-going counterpart. Juggling a multi-series schedule is a massive logistical undertaking, requiring meticulous coordination to transport cars, equipment, and personnel across continents on a tight timeline. This relentless travel between Australia, China, Germany, and Japan puts immense strain on a driver's physical and mental endurance. While now a rarity due to contractual obligations and intense schedules, F1 drivers competing in other series during the season was more common in past decades. Nico Hulkenberg was the last active F1 driver to win a major non-F1 race, conquering the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015.
