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Rain and cooler track temperatures kept lap times largely static during Qualifying 2 at the Nürburgring, leaving the grid order little changed ahead of the 2026 24 Hours. The session delivered a tidy result for Winward Racing, while Max Verstappen‘s Team Verstappen entry held third on the timesheets — a position that could prove influential once the race begins.
What unfolded in Qualifying 2
Wet lines and intermittent drizzle on the Nordschleife reduced the window for attackers, so teams largely consolidated earlier efforts rather than chasing dramatic improvements. That worked to the advantage of those who had already posted competitive laps in the first sessions.
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Leading the session was the No. 80 Winward Mercedes-AMG GT3, which set the pace with an 8:14.957. ROWE Racing’s No. 1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO was second, just over three seconds back, while the No. 3 Team Verstappen Mercedes-AMG GT3 — carrying Max Verstappen on its driver roster — stayed third.
| Pos | Car No. | Team / Model | Fastest lap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 80 | Winward Racing — Mercedes-AMG GT3 | 8:14.957 |
| 2 | 1 | ROWE RACING — BMW M4 GT3 EVO | 8:18.069 |
| 3 | 3 | Team Verstappen — Mercedes-AMG GT3 | 8:18.539 |
| 4 | 99 | ROWE RACING — BMW M4 GT3 EVO | 8:18.602 |
| 5 | 911 | Manthey Racing — Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Evo26 | 8:21.717 |
| 6 | 130 | Red Bull Team ABT — Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 | 8:21.998 |
| 7 | 77 | Schubert Motorsport — BMW M4 GT3 EVO | 8:26.625 |
| 8 | 64 | HRT Ford Racing — Ford Mustang GT3 EVO (2026) | 8:26.751 |
| 9 | 16 | Scherer Sport PHX — Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II | 8:27.080 |
| 10 | 17 | Dunlop Motorsport — Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Evo26 | 8:27.176 |
Beyond the podium positions, several factory-affiliated outfits from BMW, Porsche, Lamborghini and Ford posted strong showings, underlining the depth of the entry list and the manufacturer battle that will play out over 24 hours.
Key takeaways
- Track conditions: Damp weather capped improvements; teams that set quick laps earlier benefited most.
- Grid implications: With the top positions locked in by established GT teams, the opening stint of the race could hinge on traffic management through the Nordschleife’s narrow sections.
- Watchlist: The No. 80 Winward car and ROWE’s No. 1 machine look quickest so far, but endurance races often reshuffle early leaders.
The field remains enormous — more than 160 cars are listed in the official classification — stretching from professional GT3 entries to club-level and historic machines. That breadth creates significant variability on track, especially at night and in mixed conditions.
Qualifying 2 is a crucial snapshot but not the final word. Teams will use tonight and tomorrow’s practice windows to refine tyre choices and stint plans after seeing how their cars behaved when the surface was slippery.
Notable performances and context
Several smaller teams and cup-class entries posted resilient times in tricky conditions, which will help confidence heading into the race. Meanwhile, well-funded factory efforts retained their expected pace despite the interruptions — a reminder that vehicle development and driver familiarity with the circuit still count for a lot on the Nordschleife.
For spectators and teams alike, the immediate story is straightforward: the running order entering the night is set, but the long distance and the Nürburgring’s microclimates mean the result remains wide open. What happened in Qualifying 2 matters now because it shapes opening strategies and who will face early traffic battles when lights go out.
