NEWS

16 March, Monday

The 24 Hours of Nürburgring promises a spectacular show on the legendary Nordschleife

The countdown to the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring from May 14 to 17, 2026, is particularly exciting this year. Numerous high-profile projects have been announced for this year and promise a fierce battle at the front: The Rowe Racing team, starting with car number #1, will be chased by dozens of GT3s, with the crème de la crème of endurance specialists behind the wheel. At least eight brands...
The 24 Hours of Nürburgring promises a spectacular show on the legendary Nordschleife

16.03.2026

The countdown to the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring from May 14 to 17, 2026, is particularly exciting this year. Numerous high-profile projects have been announced for this year and promise a fierce battle at the front: The Rowe Racing team, starting with car number #1, will be chased by dozens of GT3s, with the crème de la crème of endurance specialists behind the wheel. At least eight brands (Audi, Aston Martin, BMW, Ford, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche) and more teams in the top class than in previous years are expected to be on the starting grid by the end of the entry period (late April). Added to this are other classes with strong lineups, ranging from beefy GTs to lightning-fast production cars, which will ensure a heart-pounding spectacle. Adding an extra dose of excitement this year is the once again unpredictable Eifel weather, which thwarted the first race of the NLS (Nürburgring Endurance Series) season with a sudden onset of winter. Now, with the 24-hour race just around the corner, the endurance racing community has only two NLS races left, as well as the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers (April 17–19), which are also part of the NLS: a tight window of time given the meticulous preparations required, especially for the top teams, ahead of the endurance classic. And that even applies to a four-time Formula 1 world champion: Max Verstappen has announced his participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, sparking euphoria not only among his Dutch compatriots but also among many motorsport fans worldwide. He plans to personally put his racing team’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 through its paces during the second round of the NLS (March 21)—and will certainly face some additional competitors whose testing schedules have been thrown into disarray by the canceled season opener. Adding to the excitement is the fact that the 24 Hours is also on the line starting with the first NLS round. After all, the top spots for the decisive Top Qualifying 3 at the 24 Hours can be secured during the NLS rounds leading up to the season’s highlight. Up to three spots will be awarded based on qualifying and race performance in NLS Rounds 1 through 3, and up to three additional spots based on performance in the 24 Hours Qualifiers. This is an attractive prospect and an additional incentive for the teams, as GT3 teams that do not secure their spot before the 24-hour race must face a two-stage shoot-out, in which only the fastest cars advance to the next round. Pole position and the spots on the front rows of the grid are then determined only after the third Top Qualifying session. Strong teams promise exciting battles at the frontThe Verstappen Mercedes-AMG GT3 is one of the two spearheads of the Stuttgart-based team’s performance lineup. The sister car, sporting the colors of 24h main sponsor RAVENOL, will also be manned by excellent factory drivers. Last year’s winners from Rowe Racing also face a threat from within their own ranks, as the defending champions will field two cars again in 2026, after running just one car last year. The BMW factory lineup also includes the BMW M4 GT3 Evo from Schubert Motorsport. Joining the circle of top contenders are a number of Porsche teams, such as the two 911 GT3 Rs fielded by Schnabl in the colors of tire manufacturers Falken and Dunlop. Also already confirmed is the 911 from Team Dinamic GT, which finished in third place behind Rowe and Manthey in 2025. A number of other teams are also among the top contenders for the leading positions. These include the two latest-generation Lamborghinis from Abt Motorsport. Or the Ford Mustang GT3s, which still had to contend with teething problems here and there last year but have since long since matured into seasoned endurance racers. Passion Projects and Fan Favorites GaloreEven outside the circle of overall victory contenders, cars are set to make their debut this year that are sure to capture the hearts of fans. There are, for example, the HWA Evos competing in the SP-X special class, whose design is inspired by the legendary 190 Evo2 Mercedes from the golden era of the DTM. Or the BMW M3 GT3 Touring 24h, also competing in the same class—marking the return of a race-ready station wagon to the 24 Hours of Nürburgring after many years. In the top class, the “Saugmotoren Motorsport” team has announced one of the almost legendary BMW Z4 GT3s, which fans and drivers still affectionately call “Zetti.” Added to this are the highly competitive classes, where thrilling battles for positions and trophies ensure plenty of action. Even though the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is not part of the PETN (Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring), the two Cup classes for the cars competing there are also expected to be highly competitive at the season’s highlight. And in the other “Special,” Cup, and production car classes as well, many teams have already announced their participation at the start of the season. This 54th edition of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring promises top-level racing and plenty of Nordschleife excitement.

The season begins: premieres, classics, and the full variety of the Ring

11.03.2026

When the first engines roar into life in March, it marks the start of more than just a new racing season at the Nürburgring. It marks the start of a year that reflects the full spectrum of this legendary event location: top-class international motorsport, spectator-friendly series on the Nordschleife, festivals, community events, family formats, and hands-on activities. Around 60 events will make the Nürburgring 2026 a meeting place for fans from all over the world from spring until late autumn – and a powerful driving force for the region. The highlights of the calendar include traditional crowd-pullers such as the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, the DTM, Rock am Ring, the Int. ADAC Truck Grand Prix, and the BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix. They guarantee full grandstands, full campsites, and an atmosphere that can only be found in the Eifel region. Between March and October, these major events alternate with a variety of other formats – from international GT racing to accessible Nordschleife action. The Nordschleife as the centerpieceAs a world-renowned trademark, the legendary Nordschleife will continue to be the touchstone for top driving performance in 2026. The ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series, the RCN Circuit Challenge, and the GLP regularity test provide hands-on racing throughout the year. Here, fans experience thrilling duels, an open paddock, and motorsport that remains tangible. The highlight is the 24-hour weekend in May, when more than 100 vehicles set off on a chase through the “Green Hell” and tens of thousands of fans camp along the track. Hardly any other race combines sporting excellence and passionate fan culture so intensely. New impetus in the international racing calendarIn 2026, the Nürburgring will be setting new trends: the MICHELIN 12H Nürburgring will be making its debut in the Eifel region. The premiere as part of the Michelin 24H SERIES expands the international endurance racing portfolio and underlines the importance of the location in global GT racing. A new chapter is also beginning in the two-wheel sector: the International German Motorcycle Championship will compete under the name EURO MOTO in future. With a new look and a sharper profile, the series is repositioning itself – and is the flagship for motorcycle racing on the Grand Prix circuit. The international program is complemented by high-quality GT racing formats such as the DTM, GT World Challenge, and ADAC Racing Weekend – a dense spectrum of brand diversity, young talent development, and top-class motorsport. Those who like things a size bigger can admire the 1,000 hp race trucks at the Int. ADAC Truck Grand Prix. Festival and colorful paddock included. Historic motorsport also remains an integral part of the season. With the ADAC Nürburgring Classic, the BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix, and the traditional ADAC 1,000 km race, the Nürburgring will continue to bridge the gap between the past and the present in 2026. Historic formula cars, touring car icons, and endurance classics remind us that motorsport history has been written here since 1927 – lively, loud, and with an unmistakable character. Festival, scene, communityHowever, the Nürburgring is much more than just racing. When around 90,000 music fans transform the Eifel into a festival sea at the sold-out Rock am Ring in June, a different facet of the area comes to the fore. Events such as the Nürburgring Drift Cup, GRIP – Das Motorevent, and Rad am Ring combine scene, participatory character, and passion for mobility in all its forms. There is also a premiere here: The Low Scty PS Arena, a community event at the Nürburgring, is celebrating its premiere, having already grown into a major event in Austria with thousands of fans. In addition, there are indoor highlights in the ring°arena and ring°boulevard – from darts at the Ring to Europe's largest e-darts tournament (DLMM) and from a job fair to the popular family day. This mix of top-class sport, entertainment, and community formats makes the 2026 season a diverse experience for a wide range of target groups – from die-hard motorsport fans to family outings. More than just watchingAnd even away from the major events, the Ring remains a place to experience: on well over 100 days, the Nordschleife and Grand Prix circuit open their gates for tourist drives, after-work classics, or cycling and running meetups. Here, the spectator becomes the participant – an offer that makes the Nürburgring a new experience year after year. With established classics, international premieres, and clear diversity, the Nürburgring is starting a season that combines tradition and the future in equal measure. 2026 promises to be another year full of excitement, speed, and unforgettable moments.

Verstappen to compete in the 24h Nürburgring – special ticket offer planned for Oranje fans

09.03.2026

Max Verstappen will compete in the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring for the first time in 2026. The Dutchman, who has long since secured his place in motorsport history with four Formula 1 world championship titles between 2021 and 2024, is thus taking on what is probably the greatest challenge in international endurance racing: the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The prominent newcomer to the starting grid will compete in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing alongside Lucas Auer (AUT), Jules Gounon (FRA) and Daniel Juncadella (ESP). Verstappen has been preparing specifically for this since last year and has been systematically working on the necessary requirements for a start – including appearances on the Nordschleife and intensive preparation in SimRacing. The 24h Nürburgring is also rolling out the red carpet for fans of the champion, who is a national hero in his home country: a special ticket offer is being planned for them, with exclusive offers to be announced shortly. The Dutchman has been a proven Nordschleife enthusiast for years. In addition to his real-life driving experience in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS), he has also gained extensive knowledge of the track and multi-class racing through SimRacing as part of the digital NLS. ‘“The Nürburgring is a special place. There is no other race track like it,“ says Verstappen, who also wants to compete in NLS2 before the 24-hour race. “The 24h Nürburgring has been on my wish list for a long time, so I’m very excited that we can now make it happen. Last year, I obtained my DMSB licence for the Nordschleife and was able to participate in NLS9, where we won. This preparation is very valuable, as we learned a lot that we can incorporate into this year’s programme. With Dani, Jules and Lucas, we have a strong line-up and are receiving great support from Red Bull and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. Now it’s a matter of making the right preparations before the events so that we can get the most out of ourselves in the races.” Consistent preparation for the 24-hour raceFor the organisers, Verstappen is first and foremost one thing: a participant like any other who, regardless of his name and reputation, had to prove his suitability for the most challenging race track in the world. Walter Hornung, race director of the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, emphasises: “We are delighted that Max Verstappen is competing in the 24h Nürburgring. Like all the other starters across the various vehicle classes, he has fallen under the spell of this special race track. The fact that he is taking his start seriously and approaching it in an incredibly professional manner is already evident from his intensive preparation. He went through the normal qualification process without any special treatment, prepared himself with drives on the Nordschleife, completed the mandatory e-learning and familiarised himself intensively with the track with countless SimRacing laps. As organisers, we are just as excited as countless fans around the globe to see how well he will manage the transition from Formula 1 racing cars to this year’s particularly competitive GT3 class on the world’s toughest race track. The Nordschleife is the ultimate challenge in motorsport – and Max is taking it on!” Starting in a Mercedes-AMG GT3Verstappen will compete in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in his first ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring race. The vehicle is one of two cars in the Mercedes-AMG performance line-up. The two GT3s fielded by Winward Racing will compete as Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL and under the Verstappen banner. The sister car with start number #80 also has an extremely strong line-up with Maro Engel (GER), Maxime Martin (BEL), Fabian Schiller and Luca Stolz (both GER). Four-time Formula 1 champion Verstappen has excellent teammates at his side in Auer, Gounon and Juncadella, who also come from the Mercedes-AMG performance squad. The #3 on the start number holder corresponds to his current Formula 1 start number in the Oracle Red Bull Racing team. The two GT3s thus form the spearhead of the Mercedes-AMG line-up, which will be complemented by AMG customer sports teams. Secure your event or VIP ticket now!

Arrive stress-free, enjoy together: 24-hour camping for “Family & Friends”

06.03.2026

For camping enthusiasts who want to enjoy the 24h Nürburgring in a relaxed atmosphere, there is once again a special offer: In the C3 camping area, you can conveniently reserve a 10 x 5 meter plot in advance – including all the on-site benefits. Similar to a seating plan for a concert, you can choose exactly where you want to watch the 24-hour race in close proximity to the Goodyear curve when you book. In addition to the electricity included in the price, which is provided via distribution cabinets, there are water supply points in the vicinity and a shower and toilet unit within walking distance. Furthermore, arrival and departure are possible at any time from Wednesday to Sunday. Anyone who wants to leave the site in their car or motorhome in between can do so without any problems and without losing their reservation. The area is particularly suitable for families: for example, the parking space can be occupied as early as Friday, the consistently observed quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. ensure peaceful nights, and the specially equipped DSK shuttle bus stop provides free transportation to the paddock or the Nordschleife. ℹ️ The bus stop will be located near the camping area. The reservation fee of €100 for Wednesday to Sunday applies to a maximum of eight people and is in addition to the usual camping and ticket costs. These, in turn, only have to be paid for the days you are actually on site.   Info: The “Family & Friends Camping” pitches are already sold out.

Schedules for 24h and 24h Qualifiers 2026 published

08.12.2025

Even before the turn of the year, the organizers of the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring published the schedule for the endurance racing highlight from May 14 to 17, 2026. This allows participants, fans, and teams to start planning for the coming year early on. The program ranges from historic endurance racing to the high-tech GT3 cars in the 24-hour starting field, once again making the weekend a superlative racing festival on the legendary Nordschleife. The detailed schedule for the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers from April 17 to 19, 2026, has also been finalized. The prologue weekend one month before the race of the year offers two four-hour races, which, in addition to preparing for the highlight of the season, also count as the fourth and fifth rounds of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie  (NLS). The program is enhanced by the second round of the new German Historic Endurance Championship (DHLM). The schedules are now available on our website. The actual 24-hour race will kick off the four-day event in 2026 with the RCN, whose performance test will be held on Thursday morning for the first time on the entire circuit, including the Nordschleife and Grand Prix course. Immediately afterwards, training for the 24-hour race will begin with the first qualifying session in the afternoon. In the evening, the focus will be on the long night qualifying session, which will run until 11:30 p.m. and allow many teams to complete crucial laps in the dark. When the headlights cut through the Eifel night at 8:00 p.m., the fans' campfires will flicker around the Nordschleife – endurance racing romance in perfection. On Friday, the focus will be on the new German Historic Endurance Championship (DHLM): after qualifying on Thursday, it will contest a three-hour race on the full circuit in the afternoon. The legacy of the ADAC 24h Classic, which has been popular for many years, is thus being taken up by an official DMSB championship, whose four races of the season will be held on the entire Nürburgring circuit. It not only continues the tradition of the 24h Classic, but also further enhances the status of historic endurance racing at the Ring. The program on all three days will be complemented by the touring car legends, who will bridge the gap to the touring car era, in which many fans collected their first 24h memories, with qualifying and two races on the Grand Prix circuit. Top qualifying will be even more exciting and transparentFriday morning will be dedicated to the fastest teams in the 24-hour starting field chasing times. The format has been revised for the vehicles in starting group 1, which includes the SP9, SP-X, SP-Pro, and SP11 classes. In the three-stage top qualifying, only the fastest in each session will advance to the next top qualifying. The first two rounds will take place on Friday morning, with the final Top Qualifying 3 session in the early afternoon. It is only in this session that pole position will be awarded. The tried-and-tested multi-stage format will be further refined for 2026 based on previous experience and designed to make it even easier for fans and participants to follow. Details are still being fine-tuned and will be announced separately at a later date. Before pole position is awarded, however, fans can still look forward to the “normal” Qualifying 3, which puts the other teams in the spotlight: the top qualifying cars are not eligible to start in this session. This allows the remaining teams to battle it out for their positions on the starting grid in the second and third starting groups without interference. On Saturday morning, the warm-up on the entire track will take place before the touring car legends kick off the final sporting event with their second race. This will be followed by the starting grid for the 24-hour race, with the formation lap starting at 2:40 p.m. for the race start at 3:00 p.m. ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers with NLS classification and DHLM debutThe ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers will be upgraded in April. Qualifying on Saturday and Sunday morning will open the two race days. The first four-hour race is scheduled for Saturday evening, followed by the second four-hour race on Sunday after top qualifying and the starting grid. Both races will again count towards the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), which will start its 50th season in 2026. The newly integrated DHLM race adds an extra highlight: qualifying on Friday afternoon will be followed on Saturday by the season opener with a three-hour classic race. And the youngest motorsport enthusiasts will once again have a platform: eKart slalom races for young drivers aged 8 and above will take place in the paddock throughout the weekend.

Advance ticket sales for the 2026 Nürburgring 24-hour race have begun

19.11.2025

The countdown to the 2026 racing season is on: tickets for next year's major Nürburgring events have been on sale since 17 November. In addition to the legendary ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring from 14 to 17 May 2026, the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers from 17 to 19 April 2026 will also be available online in the revamped Nürburgring ticket shop. When advance sales begin, the classic ticket categories – from day tickets to race and weekend tickets to event tickets – will be offered first. The new convenient and particularly user-friendly ticket platform naturally offers a Print@Home option as well as digital tickets for smartphones. The ticket structure successfully introduced this year will be retained: day tickets for Thursday, Friday and Sunday will be supplemented by race tickets valid on Saturday and Sunday. Multi-day options also include the weekend ticket (Friday – Sunday) and the popular event ticket (Thursday – Sunday). The digital ticket has proven its worth and will continue to be used in 2026. It enables uncomplicated access control directly via QR code at the entrance, thus greatly simplifying the process on site. Parking, camping and combination tickets Next year, it will once again be possible to reserve parking spaces in advance. This offer can be easily added when purchasing an event ticket. The popular combination ticket with the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is also returning and is expected to go on sale before Christmas, giving racing fans twice the treat. The newly created Family&Friends area at the Müllenbachschleife was a great success in 2025. The offer is currently being optimised in collaboration with the Nürburgring, with advance sales scheduled to start in spring 2026. ADAC North Rhine-Westphalia and the Nürburgring are also working on a further improvement: they are currently examining whether camping tickets for the temporary campsites around the Nordschleife can also be offered in advance sales in future. Same price structure, same fairness Ticket prices for the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring 2026 and the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers will remain at the same level as last year. Visitors will continue to benefit from discounted advance sales prices. A surcharge of five euros applies at the box office. Ticket prices for the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring 2026 Ticket Validity Standard* Reduced** Event ticket Thursday – Sunday €74.00 €45.00 Weekend ticket Friday – Sunday €69.00 €42.00 Race ticket Saturday – Sunday €62.00 €38.00 Day tickets Thursday €37.00 €24.00   Friday €37.00 €24.00   Sunday €35.00 €21.00 *) Advance ticket price. From Monday, 11 May 2026, 8:00 a.m., a surcharge of five euros will be added to the advance ticket prices. **) Children up to and including the age of 12 are admitted free of charge. Young people up to and including the age of 15 and guests with disabilities pay the reduced price. One accompanying person per guest with a ‘B’ or ‘H’ ID card also pays the reduced admission price at the box office. Ticket prices for the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers 2026 Ticket Validity Standard Reduced** Weekend ticket Friday – Sunday €45.00 €25.00 Day tickets Friday €10.00 €6.00   Saturday €27.00 €16.00   Sunday €27.00 €16.00 **) Children up to and including the age of 12 are admitted free of charge. Young people up to and including the age of 15 and guests with disabilities pay the reduced price. An accompanying person of guests with ‘B’ and ‘H’ ID cards also pays the reduced admission price at the box office.

Tickets for 2026 now available – anticipation for the new season begins

17.11.2025

The first tickets for the 2026 Nürburgring season are now available. Fans can already secure their seats for selected event highlights – and thus officially start looking forward to a new motorsport year. Even though the current season is only just coming to an end, preparations for 2026 are already in full swing. With the start of ticket sales, the stage is set for a year full of thrilling races, unique experiences and unforgettable moments at the Nürburgring. Whether traditional major events or popular crowd pullers: the first events are now available in the ticket shop, offering fans early planning security for the coming season. Secure your tickets now and start the countdown to 2026! ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring | Event ticket & VIP ADAC 24h Qualifiers | Event ticket & VIP BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix | Event ticket & VIP ADAC Truck Grand Prix | Event ticket & VIP Rock am Ring | VIP DTM | VIP & RACE&LUNCH

Rowe BMW wins heated thriller in the Eifel

22.06.2025

What a thriller: Rowe BMW has won the 53rd edition of the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, prevailing in an epic duel against Manthey's “Grello.” After 141 laps, Brazilian Augusto Farfus, Jesse Krohn from Finland, Swiss Raffaele Marciello, and Kelvin van der Linde from South Africa had a 1:17.810 minute lead over the Porsche #911 with Frenchman Kevin Estre, Ayhancan Güven from Turkey, and Austrian Thomas Preining. The “Grello” crew had crossed the finish line first, but were given a time penalty of 1:40 minutes. Manthey had protested against the penalty, but this was rejected by the race stewards shortly before the end of the race. Third success for Kelvin van der LindeFor Rowe Racing, the triumph is their second overall victory in the “Eifel Marathon” after 2020, and for record winner BMW, it is their 21st success. Kelvin van der Linde, who was the final driver two days after his 29th birthday and fought a heated duel with pole-sitter Kevin Estre, gave himself the perfect gift with his third victory after 2017 and 2022. Augusto Farfus won for the second time after 2010. Raffaele Marciello and Jesse Krohn won for the first time. Third place went to the #54 Dinamic Porsche with Bastian Buus (Denmark), Matteo Cairoli (Italy), Loek Hartog (Netherlands), and Joel Sturm.Rowe Team Principal Hans-Peter Naundorf said: “Things looked very different for us on Thursday. We had completely different thoughts then. But of course, you always aim to win. Today, it wasn't the fastest car that won, but the team that made the fewest mistakes. That was us, and we're proud of that.” Early focus on a duel between Porsche and BMWWhile the “Grello” pulled away from the field right after the start from pole position and seemed to lead the entire race, the Rowe BMW had to work its way up from behind. But Farfus made up seven places on the first lap as the starting driver, and Kelvin van der Linde moved up another six positions in the first two laps after the restart. After the #33 Falken Porsche, which had been in second place, was unfortunately forced to retire in the evening following an accident through no fault of its own, the #1 Scherer Audi, the defending champion, had to retire early, and both Getspeed Mercedes-AMGs had to retire with technical problems, it was clear early on that it would come down to a duel between the “Grello” and the BMW. Final act with Kevin Estre and Kelvin van der LindeAfter 100 laps, both cars ran into a Dörr Aston Martin during a Code 60 phase. Kevin Estre in the Porsche touched it while lapping, the Aston Martin spun into the guardrail, was catapulted back onto the track and rolled over. Raffaele Marciello in the Rowe BMW was just able to avoid it. The race director imposed a 1:40 minute time penalty on the “Grello” for this action, but Manthey lodged a protest. On the track, Augusto Farfus took advantage of an unfortunate Code 60 phase for the “Grello” on lap 114, then sucked himself up on the Döttinger Höhe and took the lead for the first time in the race. Seven laps later, the Manthey Porsche regained first place at the next pit stop, setting up an exciting final duel between Kevin Estre and Kelvin van der Linde. Power failure instead of fog – race interruption nonethelessOn Saturday afternoon, the race was interrupted for the tenth time in the history of the 24h Nürburgring – and, unusually for the Eifel region, it was not rain or fog that caused the interruption, but a major power failure. A defective cooling system, responsible for controlling and cooling the air conditioning units in large parts of the pit building, overheated because the summer temperatures required an unusually high amount of cooling power. After the problem was fixed, the race was restarted at 7:45 p.m. after a break of around 2 hours and 15 minutes. Midsummer in the Eifel pushes people and equipment to their limitsFor the first time since 2001, it remained dry in the Eifel throughout the entire week of the event. Temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius attracted more spectators than ever before, but also pushed people and equipment to their limits both on and off the track. There were many collisions, some of them serious, but all drivers involved remained largely uninjured.

Thomas Preining makes his mark in the first hour of “Grello”

21.06.2025

Thomas Preining, driving the fan favorite “Grello,” dominated the early stages of the 53rd edition of the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring from pole position. After an exciting opening lap, the former DTM champion from Austria confidently maintained first place, which his teammate Kevin Estre from France had secured in Friday's top qualifying session. He had already pulled away slightly by the time he entered the Nordschleife for the first time and then continuously increased his lead by around three seconds per lap. Even after being held up slightly by a car he was lapping during a Code 60 phase, he quickly pulled away again until he handed the “Grello” over to Estre just before the end of the first hour of the race after seven laps. “A huge thank you to the team for letting me start the race. Normally, that's Kevin's job. It was a great feeling. We adapted the car step by step to the hot conditions, which we're not really used to here.” Augusto Farfus moves up from 17th on the grid to ninthBehind Preining, Maro Engel in the #14 Getspeed Mercedes-AMG improved from third to second place by overtaking the #45 Rinaldi Ferrari with David Perel from South Africa at the wheel before the first corner. The biggest leap forward in the early stages was made by Brazilian Augusto Farfus. In the #98 Rowe BMW, he had already moved up from 17th on the grid to tenth by the time he entered the Nordschleife for the first time, and he gained another place as the race progressed before making an early first pit stop after the fifth lap, like several other cars. Other teams headed for the pits for their first tire change and refueling after the sixth lap. Huge crowds of fans at the NürburgringIn glorious summer weather, the spectator areas on the Nordschleife and the grandstands around the Grand Prix circuit were filled to capacity and the fans were in high spirits. The starting grid, where Kevin Estre received the Glickenhaus Trophy for pole position, was well attended. Those who did not make their way to the Eifel region can follow the action on the track at home on free-to-air TV partner NITRO, as well as on the official livestreams on YouTube and on the official event website.