Max Verstappen has recently been competing – and winning races – outside of Formula 1, and he’s never hidden his desire to take part in other motorsport events.

F1 Grand Prix Of Azerbaijan 2025
Max Verstappen will be unable to enter six races next year, as Formula 1 remains his priority over his flourishing GT3 career. Verstappen, 28, made headlines over the weekend by winning on his GT3 debut, claiming the ninth round of the NLS (Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie) alongside 22-year-old British team-mate Chris Lulham.

Verstappen and Lulham stormed to victory during the four-hour race in a Verstappen.com and Red Bull-liveried Ferrari 296 GT3. It was yet another achievement to add to the Dutchman’s decorated CV, having won the last two Formula 1 Grands Prix in Italy and Azerbaijan – results which have reignited his title hopes.

F1 is, of course, his priority and will remain so in the foreseeable future. Verstappen’s commitment to his £40million-a-year contract with Red Bull means that he’ll be forced to miss the bulk of the NLS season after the 2026 schedule was confirmed.

That’s because six NLS races next year clash with F1 Grands Prix. NLS1 coincides with in China on March 14, NLS2 with Japan on March 28, NLS3 with Bahrain on April 11, and NLS4 and NLS5 with Saudi Arabia on April 19.NLS4 and NLS5, however, are considered qualifiers for the Nurburgring 24 Hours, but it’s not mandatory to compete in them if you wish to enter the iconic event, as they don’t determine your starting position. Fortunately, Verstappen will have space on his calendar to compete, as the Nurburgring 24 Hours takes place from May 15 to 17, between the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix.

The four-time F1 champion, who’s battling Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris for the title this season, can also compete in NLS6 on June 20 and NLS7 on August 1.

As for NLS8 and NLS9, they clash with the first ever Madrid Grand Prix, while NLS10 also clashes with Singapore on October 10.

Verstappen has already confirmed that he’s hoping to compete in ‘a few’ NLS events in 2026, especially a certain race in Germany.

NLS9 - 57th ADAC Barbarossapreis
Chris Lulham and Max Verstappen won the ninth round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (Image: Getty)

“Of course, we really want to race the 24-hour race, here at the Nordschleife,” the Red Bull star said. “If that’s going to be next year, I don’t know yet.

“We need more experience, so hopefully we can enter a few more NLS races next year.”

Verstappen added regarding his debut win: “It was great! During my first two stints, the car was amazing. After qualifying, I knew the car would be good on a dry track. Everything went well in terms of traffic, and we didn’t make any big mistakes. To win my debut race here is amazing.”