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Aston Martin-run Walkenhorst Motorsport set the benchmark in Top Qualifying 1 at the Nürburgring, clocking an 8:12.135 lap on the Nordschleife and signalling early speed for the endurance classic. The session left the order tightly bunched through the top ten, with Max Verstappen’s Winward Mercedes sitting fifth — a development that will shape grid strategy as the race weekend progresses.
Qualifying snapshot
The opening knockout session produced a mix of established GT outfits and factory-backed entries near the front. Several manufacturers — including Aston Martin, Ford, Lamborghini, Audi and Porsche — showed competitive pace, underlining the varied field likely to contest the full 24 hours.
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- 1 — Walkenhorst Motorsport (Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO): 8:12.135
- 2 — HRT Ford Racing (Ford Mustang GT3 EVO 2026): 8:14.397
- 3 — Red Bull Team ABT (Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2): 8:14.734
- 4 — Scherer Sport PHX (Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II): 8:14.773
- 5 — Winward Racing (Mercedes‑AMG GT3): 8:14.871
- 6 — HRT Ford Racing (Ford Mustang GT3 EVO 2026): 8:15.024
- 7 — Winward Racing (Mercedes‑AMG GT3): 8:15.471
- 8 — Manthey Racing (Porsche 911 GT3 R): 8:15.536
- 9 — HRT Ford Racing (Ford Mustang GT3 EVO 2026): 8:16.462
- 10 — Franz Konrad (Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2): 8:16.517
The top ten were separated by roughly 4.4 seconds — a narrow margin given the length and difficulty of the Nordschleife circuit. That compression suggests qualifying trim and traffic management will be decisive factors when the grid is finalised.
Notable performances and context
Walkenhorst Motorsport delivered a strong showing that places its Aston Martin at the head of the provisional order, while HRT’s trio of Ford Mustangs — two of which sit inside the top nine — indicates the new Mustang GT3 EVO (2026) is competitive from the off.
Red Bull Team ABT and Scherer Sport PHX were both within striking distance, emphasising the close battle between Lamborghini and Audi at the sharp end. Porsche entries from Manthey and other teams remain in contention, typical of the brand’s recent Nordschleife form.
Max Verstappen’s presence in the top five with Winward Racing has attracted attention beyond the usual GT audience, but the session merely sets the starting order for the knockout phase; endurance pace, reliability and incident avoidance will ultimately decide the 24‑hour outcome.
Other takeaways
Several established GT squads — including BMW, ROWE RACING and Black Falcon — posted competitive laps inside the top 30, while a handful of older-spec GT cars and prototypes recorded slower times, reflecting the field’s diversity.
Two further items stood out:
- ROWE’s #1 BMW M4 recorded an unexpectedly slow time compared with its sister entries, a reminder that practice and race setups can diverge significantly.
- One entry, #33 KKramer Racing, did not post a time in this session, leaving its place to be resolved before the race.
What to watch next
Saturday’s remaining qualifying phases will reshuffle the order as teams chase optimal track position and assess long‑run balance. Key points to monitor:
- Whether Walkenhorst can consolidate its advantage under pressure.
- How HRT manages three competitive Mustangs across the grid.
- How driver line‑ups with Formula 1 experience, notably Max Verstappen, adapt to traffic and tyre degradation over longer stints.
The full Top Qualifying 1 classification shows a deep, international entry list and sets the stage for what promises to be a tactical and closely fought Nürburgring 24 Hours. Expect further shifts before lights out as teams refine strategy and balance for the endurance test ahead.
