2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring Results: Mercedes-AMG Ends Ten-Year Wait
The 2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring results delivered one of the most dramatic editions of the legendary endurance race in recent memory. Mercedes-AMG returned to the top step of the podium for the first time in ten years, while Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen suffered heartbreak after leading on his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut before mechanical failure ended his race.
Held at the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany, the 54th edition of the endurance classic attracted a record-breaking crowd of 352,000 spectators over four days. Rain showers, changing track conditions, major crashes, and fierce battles throughout the field created a spectacular event in the “Green Hell.”
The No. 80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 from Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL claimed victory in the 2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring results after 156 laps with drivers Maro Engel, Luca Stolz, Fabian Schiller, and Maxime Martin overcoming a difficult start from 25th on the grid.
Mercedes-AMG dominates the 2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring results
The winning Mercedes-AMG squad delivered a remarkable recovery drive after Maro Engel’s qualifying accident forced the team deep into the starting order. Early rain showers proved decisive as the team made perfect tyre strategy calls while many rivals struggled with changing conditions.
As the race progressed, the No. 80 and Verstappen’s No. 3 Mercedes-AMG controlled the event comfortably at the front. The pair built a sizeable advantage over the chasing field and looked set for a Mercedes-AMG one-two finish.
Fabian Schiller explained that the weather shift became the turning point of the race. Once rain arrived, the team selected the correct tyres and rapidly moved to the front of the field. The retirement of Verstappen’s car later eased pressure on the leading No. 80 machine.
For Maro Engel, the 2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring results victory marked his second overall Nürburgring 24 Hours triumph, having also been part of Mercedes-AMG’s previous win in 2016.
Max Verstappen’s dream debut ends in heartbreak
Much of the attention during the event focused on Max Verstappen’s first appearance at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The Formula 1 champion impressed immediately with strong pace, consistency, and calmness in traffic around the brutal Nordschleife circuit.
Verstappen shared the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Dani Juncadella. The car spent long periods battling for the lead and looked capable of securing victory before disaster struck.
A driveshaft failure forced the car into the pits with just under three and a half hours remaining in the race. Although the team managed repairs and returned to the track late in the event, they ultimately finished only 37th overall after losing 21 laps, with terrible 2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring results.
Despite the disappointment, Verstappen became one of the major fan favourites of the weekend. Spectators cheered loudly when the repaired Mercedes-AMG eventually returned to the circuit during the closing stages.
Top five finishers in the 2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring results
The battle for the remaining podium positions became incredibly intense during the final hours of the race. Lamborghini and Aston Martin secured historic podium finishes after a thrilling four-way fight behind the winning Mercedes-AMG.
Top Five Overall 2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring Results
- 1st: No. 80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 – Engel / Stolz / Schiller / Martin
- 2nd: No. 84 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 – Engstler / Bortolotti / Niederhauser
- 3rd: No. 34 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO – Krognes / Drudi / Thiim / Fernandez Laser
- 4th: No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO – Harper / Hesse / Sheldon van der Linde / Vanthoor
- 5th: No. 81 BMW M3 Touring 24h – Klingmann / de Wilde / de Phillippi / Verhagen
The Lamborghini squad overcame early damage and a difficult opening lap to climb from 49th place to second overall. Meanwhile, Aston Martin secured its first-ever Nürburgring 24 Hours podium finish despite a late 86-second time penalty for speeding under Code 60 conditions.
Chaos, crashes, and changing conditions in the Green Hell
The opening hours of the race were heavily affected by unstable weather around the Nürburgring. Rain showers repeatedly changed grip levels and caught out several leading contenders.
Among the notable 2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring results were crashes involving Kevin Estre in the famous Manthey Porsche “Grello,” Thierry Vermeulen in the Kondo Ferrari, and Arjun Maini in the HRT Ford Mustang GT3.
Several major contenders also retired with mechanical problems. The defending Rowe Racing BMW No. 1 of Augusto Farfus, Jordan Pepper, Kelvin van der Linde, and Raffaele Marciello retired after suffering fuel supply issues while fighting near the front of the race.
Throughout the field, recovery drives became a major theme of the race as teams fought through changing weather, heavy traffic, and incidents across the demanding 25.378 km Nürburgring layout.
A memorable Nürburgring classic
The 2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring results will be remembered for Mercedes-AMG’s emotional return to victory, Max Verstappen’s dramatic debut, and the incredible atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of fans around the Nordschleife.
From unpredictable rain and fierce strategy battles to mechanical heartbreak and historic podium finishes, the 54th running of the race showcased exactly why the Nürburgring 24 Hours remains one of the greatest endurance events in world motorsport.
Fans will not have to wait too long for the next edition either, as organisers have already confirmed that the 2027 race will take place from 27 to 30 May.
