NEWS

16 July, Thursday

Interview with Max Fiebig (Subaru): Why international car manufacturers carry out development wor...

Max Fiebig of Subaru explains in an interview why the Nürburgring is an important development location for the company. How long has your company been using the Nürburgring for testing and development activities, and what role does the Nordschleife play in your development work today?The programme began in 1989 as a crucial phase in the development of the Legacy for the European market. Since...
Interview with Max Fiebig (Subaru): Why international car manufacturers carry out development work at the Nürburgring

16.07.2026

Max Fiebig of Subaru explains in an interview why the Nürburgring is an important development location for the company. How long has your company been using the Nürburgring for testing and development activities, and what role does the Nordschleife play in your development work today?The programme began in 1989 as a crucial phase in the development of the Legacy for the European market. Since 1992, starting with the first generation of the Impreza WRX (GC series), the circuit has been used continuously as a fully-fledged development facility. For SUBARU/STI, the Nürburgring Nordschleife serves both as an early-stage development environment and as the ‘final testing ground for vehicle development’, and is regarded as ‘the place where weaknesses inevitably come to light’. It is described as ‘the world’s most demanding collection of public roads’ – a circuit that replicates real-world driving conditions to the very limit. There are numerous test facilities around the world. In your view, what makes the Nordschleife so unique, and what insights can be gained here that are difficult or impossible to obtain elsewhere?Over its 20.8 km length, the Nürburgring Nordschleife combines every possible situation that can occur on public roads – including high-speed sections, slow-speed sections, bumps, unevenness, uneven road surfaces and steep gradients. Furthermore, the Eifel region is known for its highly changeable climate, where conditions resembling all four seasons can occur within a single day. SUBARU regards this circuit as a ‘microcosm of the world’s roads’ and uses it to evaluate the driving dynamics of both development vehicles and production models. The “benchmark for the SUBARU/STI driving experience” is based on insights that can only be gained here. ・Stability at high speeds・Steering response・Traction provided by the symmetrical all-wheel drive・Tyre grip influenced by the bodywork and chassisThese factors serve as criteria for determining whether a vehicle offers the ‘typical SUBARU driving experience’. What role do factors such as the track layout, infrastructure, the surrounding automotive ecosystem, and the history and reputation of the Nürburgring play in this context?As mentioned earlier, SUBARU/STI regards the Nordschleife as a race track that offers an extreme, realistic simulation of driving conditions – a crucial element in the development of better cars. However, thanks to the efforts of the Nürburgring’s staff to preserve its traditions, the circuit is regarded as one of the most demanding race tracks both within and outside the automotive industry. Consequently, we believe that it has taken on a role not only as a platform for better product development, but also as a marketing tool that builds trust in the market. Your company is not headquartered in Germany. Why do you go to the trouble of transporting staff, vehicles and components to the Nürburgring?We have great respect for all German car manufacturers and the Nürburgring. The driving experience and handling of German cars set them apart from those of other countries – not only at the Nürburgring, but also in everyday road traffic, for example when changing lanes on the motorway or navigating roundabouts. We can learn so much from German road conditions and the country’s advanced motoring culture, and we are convinced that the benefits we derive from this far outweigh the effort involved in transporting our staff, vehicles, parts and equipment there. SUBARU also uses the Nürburgring as a global development centre and ensures that the knowledge gained there is applied not only to European models but also to vehicles worldwide. How important is the Nürburgring for the perception of your brand and your products, both in your home markets and internationally?We believe that this is also a platform on which the reliability of SUBARU/STI vehicles (the benchmark for SUBARU/STI performance) and the superiority of the boxer engine, combined with symmetrical all-wheel drive, are demonstrated, and that it serves as a solid foundation on which customers can confidently choose SUBARU/STI vehicles based on their driving performance. What role does the Nordschleife play for companies wishing to strengthen or expand their credibility and market presence in Europe?The Nürburgring Nordschleife is generally regarded as an established benchmark, meaning that testing there can contribute to reliability by demonstrating how a vehicle behaves under demanding real-world conditions. At the same time, electrification is shifting development priorities, and BEVs present different challenges compared to conventional, track-oriented applications. It is therefore necessary to validate aspects such as thermal behaviour, energy consumption and consistent performance not only through simulation, but also under the dynamic conditions of the Nordschleife. How do you incorporate the Nürburgring into your product development communications, and what significance do record lap times or other publicly communicated test results have in this context?The current SUBARU/STI aims to incorporate the insights gained from the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring into its production vehicles, with the aim of creating cars that anyone – regardless of their driving ability – can drive safely and effortlessly without tiring, and which make drivers want to keep driving them further and further. We continue to take part in this race to demonstrate this advantage. Whilst we do not deny the significance of test results such as speed records (lap times), we do not regard these as the most important factor; rather, we see the race as a pivotal event that symbolises our company’s development philosophy of sincerely and continuously striving for improvement.

Why international car manufacturers carry out development work at the Nürburgring

16.07.2026

Test and development runs take place on the Nordschleife for up to 17 weeks a year. Car manufacturers and suppliers from all over the world use this time to develop and test vehicles, components and new technologies under the most demanding conditions. Although many companies have their own test centres and proving grounds, they go to the considerable logistical effort of bringing vehicles, development teams and equipment from Japan, China, the USA and other countries to the Nürburgring. But why is the Nürburgring such an important development site for the international automotive industry, and why is the effort justified? “For us, the Nordschleife is far more than just a test track. It is a comprehensive development tool that enables us to ensure our vehicles meet the high expectations of international markets,” says José Miranda, Global Chief Marketing Officer at BYD and therefore responsible for the DENZA and YANGWANG brands. For Astemo, an international automotive supplier, the Nürburgring is also a special development site. Kenichi Kirihara, General Manager of the Technology Development Division for Next Generation Chassis Systems, says: “Nowhere else in the world can we find a circuit or test track where driving dynamics can be tested so comprehensively.” This statement is underpinned by the diverse parameters offered by the Nordschleife: 21 kilometres in length, 73 bends and a 300-metre elevation change over a single lap. High-speed sections, varying road surface conditions, bumps, compressions, hard braking zones and a wide variety of corner combinations following one another in quick succession place relentless demands on the entire vehicle and its components. The Nordschleife demonstrates how all components work together under real-world, sustained stress. “A microcosm of the world’s roads and a lap that reveals weaknesses”For Subaru, too, the Nürburgring has therefore held a firm place in vehicle development for decades. As early as 1989, the company used the Nordschleife as part of the development of the Legacy for the European market. Since 1992, the circuit has been a continuous part of Subaru and STI’s development work, starting with the first Impreza WRX. The company describes the Nordschleife as a place where vehicles are tested under conditions that are extremely close to real-world scenarios. “For Subaru and STI, the Nordschleife is both an early-stage development environment and the final test track for vehicle development – the place where a vehicle’s weaknesses inevitably become apparent,” explains Max Fiebig, Engineering Manager at Subaru Corporation. According to Fiebig, the Nordschleife replicates almost every situation that can occur on public roads: fast and slow sections, bumps, potholes, rough road surfaces and steep gradients. Added to this is the changeable weather in the Eifel region. For Subaru, the Nürburgring is therefore a “microcosm of the world’s roads”. Toyota, too, has been using the Nürburgring for development and testing since 1995. Over the past three decades, the Nordschleife has become an important extension of the company’s own development environment. Toyota links this to its ‘Roads make cars’ philosophy: vehicles improve where they are driven, tested and further developed under real-world conditions. Behind this lies a clear development philosophy: vehicles should be developed where they will eventually be driven. “The Nordschleife offers a unique combination of demanding driving conditions, high speeds and changing weather conditions. Here, our engineers can evaluate vehicles under conditions that cannot be fully replicated anywhere else,” explains test driver Herwig Daenens. “The insights gained there are incorporated into performance models as well as production vehicles.” According to Daenens, the aim is to develop vehicles that not only impress on the racetrack, but also instil confidence and driving pleasure in their drivers during everyday use. “The Nürburgring offers development value that goes far beyond distance and logistics”The particular significance of the Nürburgring is also evident from the effort expended by international companies. Teams travel from Japan, China and other countries; vehicles and components are brought to Germany; and development programmes are planned and carried out over months. YANGWANG began using the Nürburgring in June 2024, whilst DENZA started in October 2025. Both brands use the Nordschleife as part of their international development and validation work. This is not just about pure performance, but also about driver confidence, repeatability, thermal stability, durability and the overall quality of the vehicle. “The investment is justified because the Nürburgring offers development value that goes far beyond distance and logistics,” says José Miranda. “As international brands, YANGWANG and DENZA must validate their products in environments that are recognised and respected by customers, engineers and the media around the world.” Max Fiebig, speaking on behalf of Subaru, also attributes the effort to the unique automotive environment in Germany. He refers in particular to the emotional driving culture of the Green Hell and the proximity to the German automotive industry. Astemo has now even set up a development base near the Nordschleife. Kenichi Kirihara explains: “We need to find the most demanding environment to get the best out of our engineers and our technology. Innovative technology doesn’t just come to us whilst we sleep – we have to work hard for it.” “The Nürburgring as a global benchmark: if you succeed here, you’ll succeed anywhere”The companies’ responses repeatedly revolve around a central perception: for the industry, the Nürburgring is not merely a test site, but a globally recognised benchmark. Toyota describes the Nordschleife as the benchmark for driving dynamics, durability and the driving experience. Subaru sees it as the foundation for its own commitment to a safe, stable and confidence-inspiring driving experience. BYD emphasises the importance of internationally recognised development environments, and Astemo sums up its significance particularly clearly: “The Nordschleife is to the automotive industry what New York is to show business: if you succeed here, you’ll succeed anywhere.” This assessment illustrates why the Nürburgring enjoys such special credibility worldwide. Anyone testing here is not only taking on a demanding circuit, but also a benchmark that is understood within the automotive industry, by the media and by customers. This global significance is evident beyond mere statements. American performance cars such as the Ford Mustang GTD have been strongly associated with development and official lap times at the Nürburgring in recent months. Here, too, it becomes clear: the Nordschleife is not just a European legend, but a global benchmark for technical performance. More than just high-speed performance, best times and recordsIn the public eye, the Nürburgring is often associated with spectacular lap times. For the companies themselves, however, records – if at all – are only part of the story. The development work is what matters most. YANGWANG and DENZA regard communication centred on the Nordschleife as credible above all when it is based on genuine engineering work: testing, calibration, validation and continuous improvement. “Communication centred on the Nordschleife should be based on authentic development work,” says José Miranda. “The value of the Nürburgring is not limited to a single figure. It is about demonstrating technical excellence, development discipline and the ability to develop vehicles that perform confidently under demanding conditions.” Subaru, too, does not focus on individual lap times. Instead, the company uses the Nürburgring – as well as major events such as the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring – to apply the insights gained to production vehicles. The aim is to produce vehicles that can be driven safely and with confidence, regardless of the driver’s ability, that do not cause fatigue and that make you want to keep driving. Astemo regards publicly communicated lap times as an exciting benchmark for motoring enthusiasts and those interested in technology. For its own development, however, the focus is on modern chassis technologies – such as systems in which steering, brakes, chassis and electric drive are centrally networked with one another. “If a system works well on the Nordschleife, we can be fairly certain that it will work well on all roads,” says Kenichi Kirihara. A development hub with international appealThe companies’ statements make it clear: for the international automotive industry, the Nürburgring is a place where products are not only tested but also developed with a view to the long term. The Nordschleife combines real-world conditions, a technical environment, infrastructure, history and a global reputation to form a development hub that no other test track can replace. This means the Nürburgring is not only part of motorsport history, but also part of the future of mobility. Whether it’s internal combustion engines, hybrids, electric vehicles, chassis control systems or software integration – the Nordschleife remains a place where new technologies must prove themselves under particularly demanding conditions. ➡️ The full interviews with Toyota, Subaru, YANGWANG, DENZA and Astemo will be published on the landing page “Test & Development am Nürburgring” and provide further insights into the development work carried out by international manufacturers and suppliers at the Nürburgring.

Interview with Kenichi Kirihara (Astemo): Why international car manufacturers carry out development work at the Nürburgring

16.07.2026

Kenichi Kirihara of Astemo explains in an interview why the Nürburgring is an important development location for the company. Since when has your company been using the Nürburgring for test and development activities, and what role does the Nordschleife play in your development work today? Astemo has been a member of the Industry Pool since 2025. Since then, we have been sending our development teams from Japan and Europe to the Nordschleife on a regular basis. The Nürburgring is important for us, because it is absolutely unique. Nowhere else in the world can we find a track or proving ground on which vehicle dynamics can be tested so comprehensively. There are numerous test facilities around the world. From your perspective, what makes the Nordschleife unique, and what insights can be gained here that are difficult or even impossible to obtain elsewhere?73 corners, 300m vertical and almost 21km distance per lap is unique. The track has changing tarmac qualities, undulations and demanding successions of corners. You learn a lot about the performance of your chassis hardware and – increasingly important – about the chassis control systems. I can’t think of another track that is more demanding for road vehicles. What role do factors such as the track layout, infrastructure, the surrounding automotive ecosystem, as well as the Nürburgring's history and reputation play in this context?The track layout plays an important role in the development of our Cross-Domain Integrated Control System. In this system the chassis components – steering, brakes, and suspension – and even the electric powertrain communicate amongst each other and are centrally controlled. If the system works well on the Nordschleife, we can be pretty sure that it works well on all roads.  The Nürburgring I-Pool Team is doing a phantastic job in providing a safe environment for us and our fellow industry colleagues. We appreciate the continuous upgrades of the T13 area and the infrastructure along the track. We have a development base in the area, and the local ecosystem provides all services that we might need. The history of the Nordschleife is probably not so relevant for the actual development work. But we all have Nürburgring stickers on our suitcases and on our cars at home – you can say that we are emotionally attached to the Ring. Your company is not headquartered in Germany. Why do you invest the effort required to bring personnel, vehicles and components to the Nürburgring?We have to find the most demanding environment to bring out the best in our engineers and our technology. To increase the efficiency of our work here we have established a development base near the Nordschleife.  We do that because innovative technology doesn’t come to us in our sleep – we have to work hard for it. What significance does the Nürburgring have for the perception of your brand and products, both in your home markets and internationally?The significance for our products is very clear: the Nürburgring makes them better. Valuable technologies proven at the Nürburgring are respected by OEMs and suppliers worldwide and serve as a highly effective means of enhancing our own brand value. What role does the Nordschleife play for companies seeking to strengthen or expand their credibility and market presence in Europe?The Nordschleife in the automotive industry is what New York is in show business – if you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere. If we are serious about our technology we have to develop it under the most demanding and unforgiving conditions. How do you integrate the Nürburgring into the communication surrounding your product development, and what significance do record laps or other publicly communicated test results have in this context?Our Social Media Team is using some of the activities. But since we are working on rather advanced technologies here, we don’t want to open up too much about it.For people with a high interest in cars and automotive technology, record laps are a great thrill. They are a good measure for objective comparisons between various types of vehicles.

Interview with José Miranda (BYD): Why international car manufacturers carry out development work at the Nürburgring

16.07.2026

José Miranda of BYD explains in an interview why the Nürburgring is an important development location for the company. Since when has your company been using the Nürburgring for test and development activities, and what role does the Nordschleife play in your development work today?YANGWANG began using the Nürburgring for test and development activities in June 2024, with testing programs conducted from June to November 2024 and again from July to November 2025. DENZA’s Nürburgring testing activities started in October 2025, with an initial program from October to November 2025 and further testing planned from April to October 2026. For both brands, the Nordschleife plays an important role as part of our international development and validation work. It allows our engineering teams to evaluate vehicle dynamics, braking performance, thermal management, chassis behavior, stability, durability and overall vehicle confidence in an extremely demanding environment. The Nordschleife is not only a test track for us; it is a comprehensive development tool that helps ensure our products meet high expectations in global markets. There are numerous test facilities around the world. From your perspective, what makes the Nordschleife unique, and what insights can be gained here that are difficult or even impossible to obtain elsewhere?The Nordschleife is unique because it combines many different driving conditions within one lap: high-speed sections, elevation changes, compressions, surface variations, heavy braking zones, blind corners and a wide range of corner types. Many proving grounds are designed to evaluate specific vehicle characteristics in a controlled way. The Nordschleife, by contrast, challenges the entire vehicle as a complete system.This makes it especially valuable for understanding how different systems interact under sustained load. It is not only about peak performance, but also about consistency, repeatability, driver confidence and how the vehicle behaves when mechanical, thermal, electronic and software systems are working together under demanding conditions. What role do factors such as the track layout, infrastructure, the surrounding automotive ecosystem, as well as the Nürburgring’s history and reputation play in this context?The track layout is one of the key reasons why the Nürburgring remains so relevant for vehicle development. It provides very direct feedback on steering precision, braking stability, suspension tuning, traction, energy management and high-speed balance. For engineers, this makes the Nordschleife an extremely efficient environment to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for refinement. The surrounding automotive ecosystem is also highly important. The availability of experienced partners, workshops, logistics support and testing services makes the location practical and efficient for international development work. In addition, the history and reputation of the Nürburgring give testing activities there a special significance. Development work at the Nordschleife is recognized globally as a serious technical benchmark. Your company is not headquartered in Germany. Why do you invest the effort required to bring personnel, vehicles and components to the Nürburgring?The investment is justified because the Nürburgring provides development value that goes far beyond distance or logistics. As international brands, YANGWANG and DENZA need to validate their products in environments that are recognized and respected by customers, engineers and media around the world. Bringing personnel, vehicles and components to Germany allows our teams to work directly in one of the most demanding and established automotive development environments. The insights gained there help us refine our products for global markets and ensure that our engineering standards are tested against internationally recognized benchmarks. What significance does the Nürburgring have for the perception of your brand and products, both in your home markets and internationally?The Nürburgring has strong technical and symbolic significance. In our home market, testing at the Nordschleife demonstrates a commitment to international standards and shows that our products are being developed and validated in demanding global environments. Internationally, it helps communicate seriousness, engineering quality and credibility. For YANGWANG, the Nürburgring supports a performance- and technology-oriented brand image. For DENZA, it reinforces the perception of a premium brand focused on quality, confidence, refinement and product maturity. In both cases, the Nürburgring provides a respected context in which technical capability can be developed, validated and communicated. What role does the Nordschleife play for companies seeking to strengthen or expand their credibility and market presence in Europe?The Nordschleife plays an important role because it is widely understood in Europe as one of the most demanding environments for vehicle development. European customers and industry observers place high value on handling, braking confidence, stability, durability and repeatable performance. Testing at the Nürburgring shows that a company is willing to engage with these expectations seriously. For companies expanding their presence in Europe, the Nordschleife is therefore more than a test location. It is a credibility benchmark. It helps demonstrate that product development is not limited to internal standards, but is also measured against one of the most respected references in the global automotive industry. How do you integrate the Nürburgring into the communication surrounding your product development, and what significance do record laps or other publicly communicated test results have in this context?We see the Nürburgring first and foremost as a development environment. Communication around the Nordschleife should therefore be based on authentic engineering work: testing, calibration, validation and continuous improvement. It is important that any communication reflects the substance of the development process and not only the symbolic value of the location. Record laps or publicly communicated test results can create attention and can be meaningful when they are transparent, credible and connected to real product development. However, the broader value of the Nürburgring is not limited to a single number. For us, it is about demonstrating technical ambition, engineering discipline and the ability to develop vehicles that perform with confidence under demanding conditions.

Insight - What the Nordschleife and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring Mean for the Automotive Industry

08.05.2026

What role does the 24 Hours of Nürburgring play for companies in the automotive industry? The answer lies not only between the starting grid and the checkered flag, but above all in the development work that precedes the big event. Because before the battle for positions begins at the ADAC RAVENOL 24 Hours of Nürburgring, the Nordschleife serves as the central testing ground for performance under real-world extreme conditions—and at the same time as the interface between development, motorsports, and production vehicles. The unique combination of length, track characteristics, and weather conditions makes the Nordschleife a place where motorsports, industry, and product development are directly intertwined. What is proven here stands the test not only in competition—but also on the road. “The 24 Hours of Nürburgring is one of the most important motorsports events worldwide”Christoph Sagemüller, Mercedes-AMG Motorsport For Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is far more than just a single event. “The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is one of the most important motorsport events worldwide for us—not only historically, but above all strategically,” explains Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. What matters most is not just the result, but performance under real-world conditions: “Overall victories like those in 2013 and 2016 are clear proof of our brand’s performance.”The foundation for this is laid on the track itself. The Nordschleife is considered the ultimate endurance test—and a development platform at the same time. “What works here works under almost all conditions,” says Sagemüller. The insights gained there flow directly into production vehicles—for example, in the areas of driving dynamics, durability, and performance under extreme conditions. Motorsport and production are closely intertwined in this process: “Our goal is to credibly bring performance from the racetrack to the road.” Testing and development work for the performance brand therefore takes place on various levels. As part of the Nürburgring’s official test and development runs, AMG spends up to 17 weeks a year on the Nordschleife. One of the most spectacular results of this work: the Mercedes-AMG ONE—to this day, the fastest production vehicle on the 20.832-kilometer-long Nordschleife as part of the Nürburgring’s official record runs. Also developed on this legendary asphalt: the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO, the so-called “Beast of the Green Hell.” To this day, experienced race car drivers pilot visitors from all over the world around the Nordschleife in this vehicle as part of the Nürburgring’s co-pilot drives—a direct translation of development into a tangible brand experience. “An oil brand that performs on the Nordschleife is more than suitable for everyday use”Martin Huning, RAVENOL  For suppliers as well, the Nordschleife and test and development drives are a central part of their work. RAVENOL uses the track specifically to test and optimize products under real-world conditions.  “We are constantly developing new products and want to test them exactly where they will later be used,” explains Martin Huning, Director of Motorsport at RAVENOL. The Nürburgring is far more than just a test track: “Everyone knows about the special challenges of the Nordschleife. An oil brand that performs here is more than just suitable for everyday use.” The close connection between testing and competition is particularly evident in the context of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. As a title partner, RAVENOL is firmly established and supports a large portion of the vehicles in the legendary race. “In addition to a well-coordinated team and experienced drivers, what’s needed above all is a reliable overall package—and that includes the right operating fluids,” says Huning. “The Nordschleife tests the vehicle, driver, and tires all at once”Alexander Kühn, Goodyear  Goodyear shares a similar perspective, as its tires must prove their performance under extreme conditions. For the tire manufacturer, consistency is the top priority at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. “It’s not about delivering maximum performance for a few laps, but about building reliability and trust over 24 hours,” explains Marco Lo Prato, Manager of Global Communications – Racing at Goodyear. The Nordschleife serves as a “living laboratory” where technologies must prove themselves under real-world extreme conditions. “It tests everything at once—the car, the driver, and the tires,” says Lo Prato. It is precisely these demands that make the Nürburgring a benchmark that extends far beyond motorsports: “The insights from racing flow directly into our production products. What works here builds trust—even in everyday life.” The Nordschleife as a benchmark for development It is no coincidence that even experienced teams and manufacturers return to the Nordschleife every year for targeted testing. With its 73 turns, ascents, and descents, as well as a varied mix of technical sections and high-speed stretches, the Nordschleife constantly presents new challenges for drivers, vehicles, and technology. Added to this is the unique challenge of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring itself: heavy traffic with vehicles of vastly different performance classes, changing conditions day and night, and a race distance that demands the highest precision and reliability.“The Nordschleife presents new demands every year, which is why targeted preparation is essential,” emphasizes Sagemüller. The same principle applies to everyone involved: Success is not achieved during the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, but in the weeks and months leading up to it—on the track, during testing, and through continuous development. This makes it clear: The 24 Hours of Nürburgring is not only a sporting highlight but also the most visible culmination of a comprehensive development process. The Nordschleife serves as the interface between motorsports, industry, and production vehicles—a victory at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and a successful record-breaking run stand for one thing above all else: global recognition and visibility. Or, as has always been said in the context of development work:“Everyone praises what has been tested at the Nürburgring.”

Interview with Christoph Sagemüller (Mercedes-AMG Motorsport): What the Nordschleife and the 24-Hour Race at the Nürburgring Mean for the Automotive Industry

06.05.2026

Christoph Sagemüller of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport explains why the Green Hell and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring are key drivers of development and brand identity. What significance does the 24-hour race hold for your brand?              For Mercedes-AMG, the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is one of the most important motorsport events worldwide—not only historically, but above all strategically. For us, this endurance classic is an event where our brand must prove itself under extreme conditions. As head of motorsports, however, I don’t measure success there solely by the result, but also by whether we meet our performance standards under real competitive pressure. Overall victories like those in 2013 and 2016 therefore hold special significance for us. They are not only sporting successes but also clear proof of our brand’s capabilities. What significance does the Nordschleife hold for your brand?For us, it is the ultimate endurance test. What works here works under nearly all conditions. This role extends far beyond motorsports. The insights gained there are directly incorporated into our production vehicles, particularly in the areas of driving dynamics, long-term durability, and performance under extreme conditions. There are 24-hour races all over the world. For many, the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife makes all the difference. How do you see it, and why?There are many 24-hour races. Each has its own character, but none combines so many challenges at once as the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which is known as the “Green Hell” for good reason. The decisive difference lies in the track length as well as in the combination of demanding characteristics, heavy traffic with up to 150 vehicles of various performance classes, and often rapidly changing weather conditions—day and night. This complexity makes the race unique and, in my view, the most demanding 24-hour race in the world. There is also an emotional component: due to its proximity to Affalterbach, our local development site, and close ties to the region, this race feels like a home race for us. What attributes and emotions do you generally associate with the Nordschleife, and what makes this track so special during the 24-hour race?The Nordschleife stands for maximum intensity, precision, and respect. It is one of the most challenging tracks in the world. It demands an exceptionally high level of concentration and discipline from both drivers and the technology. But that is precisely what makes it so appealing. At the same time, the fans, the teams, and the special atmosphere along the track create a unique experience that is virtually unparalleled. For us as a brand, this connection is further brought to life through our own touchpoints, such as the AMG Lounge or grandstand—this creates a sense of closeness and makes the brand tangible on-site. What exactly does it take to be successful on the Nordschleife and, ultimately, in the 24-hour race?Success at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is always the result of a perfectly coordinated overall package. In my view, the following factors are crucial: perfect preparation, flawless team procedures, clean and proactive navigation through traffic, and clear strategic discipline over the entire race distance. Everything beyond that—and what sets this race apart from most others—such as unexpected conditions, heavy traffic with vehicles of very different performance classes and correspondingly large speed differences, as well as the overall course of the race—can only be influenced to a limited extent. That’s why, in addition to preparation, a certain amount of racing luck is always part of the equation. If you’ve been developing and testing at the Nürburgring for years: Why are specific Nordschleife tests even necessary in the run-up to the 24-hour race? The Nordschleife presents new challenges every year, which is why targeted preparation is essential. Changes to the track, varying weather conditions, new tire specifications, and shifting driver and team lineups make it necessary to revalidate every detail. This year, in particular, we are working with new team structures. This makes it all the more important that all processes and coordination are fine-tuned under real-world conditions beforehand. Even our long-standing and highly experienced drivers need and want sufficient preparation time on the Nordschleife to get ready for the race in the best possible way. Because even if you drive the track repeatedly, the combination of the Nordschleife and the Grand Prix circuit, at around 25 kilometers, is exceptionally long. If you extrapolate that to other race tracks, it quickly becomes clear how much more intensive the preparation must be. What role does the Nordschleife play for your brand as a testing and development site for racing, as well as for production vehicles and end-customer products?For Mercedes-AMG, the Nürburgring Nordschleife is one of the most important development sites worldwide. It allows us to test stresses and driving conditions at an intensity and density that cannot be replicated in normal road use. A kilometer driven on the Nordschleife under high-speed conditions is equivalent to many times a standard kilometer in road use. This results in significant added value for our production vehicles. Motorsport is a key driver in this regard: insights from racing are directly incorporated into the development of our high-performance models—with the goal of enabling our customers to experience performance and reliability under extreme conditions. Where is the overlap between racing and products for end customers / normal road traffic?The overlap lies primarily in technology, expertise, and development philosophy. Topics such as aerodynamics, suspension, thermal management, and efficiency are tested in motorsport under extreme conditions and subsequently transferred to production. Our goal is to credibly bring performance from the racetrack to the road. A current example is the parallel development of our new Mercedes-AMG GT3 and the next generation of the road-legal Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. For me, this is the most consistent approach to integrating motorsports and production development. Following question 8: What communication priorities do you derive from the 24-hour race, and what significance does the Nordschleife factor hold for you in this context? a.    In on-site activationOn-site, the focus is on the immediate brand experience. It’s about making performance not just visible, but tangible—through proximity to the brand, exclusive insights, and direct touchpoints such as the lounge, showroom, or grandstand.b.    In national/international communications surrounding the race? In international communications, we use the race as a credible stage for our performance expertise. The key point is: We demonstrate our capabilities not in a lab, but in real competition under extreme conditions.c.    In long-term strategic communications?In the long term, our involvement contributes to positioning Mercedes-AMG as a high-performance brand. The Nordschleife is the most visible proof of our capabilities. It stands for credibility, durability, technical substance, and our commitment to continuously proving ourselves under the toughest conditions.

Interview with Martin Huning (RAVENOL): What the Nordschleife and the 24-Hour Race at the Nürburgring Mean for the Automotive Industry

06.05.2026

In this interview, Martin Huning of RAVENOL explains why the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is indispensable as a litmus test for development, performance, and innovation. What significance does the 24-hour race hold for your brand?For the RAVENOL brand, the 24-hour race is the motorsports highlight of the year. No other event showcases RAVENOL as prominently as the endurance marathon in the Eifel. We are the title partner of the event and, in addition to numerous displays around the track, our branding is featured on all vehicle start numbers and driver suits. Furthermore, we supply our products to a good third of the entire starting field. What significance does the Nordschleife hold for your brand?We are a company with a very broad international presence. And the Nordschleife is truly a household name everywhere and known to our customers worldwide. When customers ask me about RAVENOL’s motorsport activities, the conversation always turns to the Nordschleife very quickly. 24-hour races take place all over the world. For many, the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring makes all the difference. How do you see that, and why?The “Green Hell” certainly lives up to its name as a racetrack in and of itself and demands everything from drivers and equipment over the long distance. To my knowledge, the Nürburgring is the longest permanent racetrack in the world. The total number of vehicles is also impressive. The variety of vehicle categories across more than twenty classes is unique. What attributes and emotions do you generally associate with the Nordschleife, and what makes this track so special during the 24-hour race?As is well known, the Nordschleife is open to anyone who wants to take it for a spin during public driving sessions. This is a special experience for motorsport fans and makes the Nordschleife very “accessible” and familiar. The track will also be celebrating its 100th anniversary next year. It has seen a lot and has always provided visitors with excellent entertainment throughout all that time. And the fans themselves are just as special as the Nordschleife itself. It’s truly impressive what goes into “creative camping” at the 24 Hours of the Nordschleife, especially in terms of the structures built. And then the fans transform the Eifel into one big “motorsport festival.” What exactly does it take to be successful on the Nordschleife and ultimately in the 24-hour race?In addition to a driver lineup with solid Nordschleife experience and a well-coordinated racing team, it’s a vehicle that’s both powerful and reliable. In addition to functional components like the engine and transmission, other fundamental automotive components are naturally required. That’s where we come into play with our products. In a 24-hour race, however, it doesn’t hurt to have a little luck on your side. If you’ve been developing and testing at the Nürburgring for years: Why are specific Nordschleife tests even necessary in the run-up to the 24-hour race? We are constantly developing new products while simultaneously modifying our proven operating fluids. Especially when it comes to performance-enhancing products,we want to test them there before competition use, in the very conditions where they’ll later be put to the test. What role does the Nordschleife play for your brand as a testing and development site for racing applications as well as for production vehicles and consumer products?As the saying goes: “Everyone praises what’s tested at the Nürburgring!” And that is absolutely true. Everyone knows about the special challenges the Nordschleife poses for both people and equipment. Our racing products, which have been successfully used at the Nürburgring for many years, even bear the “Nürburgring tested” logo, which builds trust in the brand. An oil brand that performs on the Nordschleife is more than suitable for everyday use. Where is the overlap between racing applications and products for end customers / normal road use?Motorsports in general serve to help us continuously improve our products in terms of performance and sustainability, or to design new products based on demand. The input we receive through our collaboration with manufacturers, racing series, and teams is invaluable for further developing both our company and our lubricants. And our production-line products are in no way inferior to our racing lubricants; after all, everything comes from the same source, and to a large extent, the same employees are involved in the development. Following up on Question 8: What communication priorities do you derive from the 24-hour race, and what significance does the Nordschleife factor hold for you in this context? a.    In on-site activation The goal is to introduce the brand and relevant products to a large audience both on-site and via communication channels (TV, internet, etc.), and to do so at one of the world’s most renowned races and racetracks.b.    In national/international communication surrounding the race? We position the 24-hour race as an absolute highlight, with record numbers of spectators, cars, teams, drivers, TV reach, and broadcast duration.c.    In long-term strategic communication?RAVENOL brings together its most important partnerships at the 24-hour race: With the Nürburgring as a racetrack, with the 24-hour race itself, and with the vehicle manufacturers, teams, and drivers. In addition, there is our lounge, where we welcome employees and guests for whom the aforementioned combination of engagements represents an impressive experience. We field the Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL with the GT3. We pursue all of this as a long-term strategy, and it forms an important motorsports focus for us.

Interview with Alexander Kühn (Goodyear): What the Nordschleife and the 24-Hour Race at the Nürburgring Mean for the Automotive Industry

06.05.2026

Alexander Kühn of Goodyear discusses the challenges of the Nordschleife and explains how insights from the 24-hour race are incorporated into product development. What significance does the 24h race have for your brand?For Goodyear, a 24 hour race represents the ultimate proof point of performance continuity. It’s not about delivering peak performance for a few laps, but about maintaining consistency, reliability and confidence over an entire day and night of racing. This philosophy is deeply rooted in our DNA and connects directly with iconic events like the 24 Hours of Nurburgring or the 24h of Le Mans, where Goodyear has demonstrated, time and again, its ability to support teams with tires that perform predictably and consistently under extreme and evolving conditions. A 24 hour race is where trust is built and earned. What significance does the Nordschleife have for your brand?The Nürburgring Nordschleife holds a unique place in Goodyear’s racing heritage. As one of the most demanding circuits in the world - combining high speeds, technical sections, elevation changes and constantly evolving grip levels - Goodyear has achieved multiple victories there and remains a trusted partner for teams across categories. Most recently, Goodyear secured wins in both the GT3 Pro AM and AM classes in the final Qualifier race ahead of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.  What does success at the Nordschleife represent for Goodyear today, both in terms of heritage and ongoing relevance in motorsport?For Goodyear, Nordschleife is a true living laboratory. It pushes tire technology to its limits and perfectly reflects what we stand for: engineering excellence, durability, and performance consistency under pressure. Beyond the track itself, the Nürburgring also represents one of Goodyear’s longest standing partnerships in motorsport. As an official partner of the Nürburgring, it has become one of the most powerful places in the world to experience the excitement of motorsport and to engage with the millions of fans who gather around this iconic venue every year. There are 24h races all over the world. For many, the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring makes the difference. How do you see this and why?We fully understand why the Nordschleife stands apart. While many circuits test speed or endurance, the Nordschleife tests everything at once - car, driver and tire.Its length, complexity and unpredictability make it a true benchmark for endurance racing. Success here requires not just outright performance, but a tire that delivers confidence, stability and consistency over long stints, changing weather and varying track conditions. That combination is what makes the Nürburgring 24h so special - and so meaningful for Goodyear. What attributes and emotions do you generally associate with the Nordschleife, and what makes this track even more special during the 24h race?The Nordschleife is synonymous with respect, intensity and authenticity. It commands focus and rewards precision. During the 24 hour race, those emotions are amplified. Racing through day and night, in changing temperatures and conditions, creates a unique experience. For Goodyear, it embodies the essence of endurance racing: resilience, teamwork and unwavering performance over time. What does it take in concrete terms to be successful on the Nordschleife and ultimately also in the 24h race?Success at the Nordschleife, and over a full 24 hours, comes down to performance continuity. Teams need tires they can rely on lap after lap, stint after stint, without surprises. From our side, this means delivering products that combine grip, consistency and predictability, allowing drivers and teams to stay focused on execution rather than adaptation. Whether it’s the Nürburgring or the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the principle remains the same: endurance racing rewards consistency - and that is where Goodyear excels. If you have been developing and testing at the Nürburgring for years: why are specific Nordschleife tests still required in the run-up to the 24h race?Even after years of development and testing at the Nürburgring, specific Nordschleife testing remains essential ahead of the 24‑hour race because the circuit is never static. Conditions change constantly - from weather and temperature to track evolution and traffic density - and the demands of a 24‑hour event are fundamentally different from any other race. Pre‑event testing allows us to validate tire behavior under the exact conditions teams are likely to face during the race weekend, refine compound selection, and ensure absolute consistency and predictability over long stints. At the Nordschleife, success is not about peak performance alone - it is about consistency, confidence and repeatability over time. These final tests ensure our tires are fully aligned with the unique challenges of the race and give teams the trust they need to focus on execution when it matters most. What role does the Nordschleife play for your brand as a test and development location for racing as well as for production vehicles and end-customer products? Running on the Nürburgring Nordschleife is a performance and validation requirement for several OE manufacturers, proving relevance not only in racing, but also in consumer product development. Where is the overlap between racing and the product for the end customer / normal road use? The overlap between racing and everyday road use lies in the fundamentals. In racing, we push tires to their absolute limits in terms of load, temperature, durability and predictability - often over long stints and under constantly changing conditions. Those same qualities are exactly what customers value on the road: confidence, consistency and longevity - not just peak grip. Circuits like the Nürburgring Nordschleife act as a bridge between these two worlds. It is a proving ground not only for racing tires, but also a validation benchmark for production and OE tires. The data, materials knowledge and construction solutions developed in racing are directly transferred into our road products, from compound behavior to structural integrity and wet grip performance.In short, racing allows us to accelerate learning at the extreme, and that learning translates into better, more reliable and more advanced tires for everyday drivers. That race to road transfer is at the core of Goodyear’s approach and a key reason why our products perform not just on the track, but where it matters most - on public roads. Following on from question 8: which communication priorities do you derive from the 24h race and what significance does the Nordschleife factor have for you in this context?The Nürburgring is an exceptional, multi‑layered communication platform for Goodyear. On one level, performance sits at the core: delivering strong results and explaining how we work is a key international communication priority, because performing well at the Nürburgring is a powerful statement in itself. This is precisely why we are a long‑term partner of the circuit. The Nordschleife represents the ultimate benchmark, and continuing to improve there is one of our objectives - there is no better place to challenge ourselves, push performance limits and demonstrate our engineering credibility to a global audience driven by passion and authenticity.

Former Grandstand Becomes Test & Performance Center | T13

25.03.2026

The Nürburgring is making targeted investments in its future as a benchmark for the automotive industry. With the modernization of T13 and its transformation into the “Test & Performance Center | T13,” the former grandstand located directly on the Nordschleife—at the entrance to Nürburg—has been fundamentally redesigned. A modern infrastructure creates optimal working conditions for engineers from around the world who test vehicles and components here under real-world conditions and use the Nordschleife as a benchmark during official record-breaking runs. The former Grandstand 13, which has not been used as a spectator area for many years, is now the central operational hub for test and development runs on the Nordschleife. This is where the intensive development work of around 50 international companies begins and ends each year—ranging from component testing to full vehicle trials. “T13 is the heart of our industrial use of the Nordschleife. The elite of the international automotive industry works here for up to 17 weeks a year—and the demands on infrastructure and the working environment are correspondingly high,” explains Managing Director Ingo Böder. Comprehensive Modernization – From Technical Infrastructure to AsphaltLast winter, the entire site underwent extensive modernization. In addition to a complete renewal of the asphalt surfaces and technical infrastructure—particularly regarding data and utility lines—the energy and charging infrastructure was expanded with the future in mind. A new photovoltaic system on the roof, along with AVIA high-power charging stations, provide clear momentum toward sustainable and high-performance mobility. As part of these measures, the asphalt surface at T13 was also completely renewed. The building itself was completely gutted and its interior rebuilt from the ground up. An aging existing building has thus been transformed into a modern, functional, and high-quality workplace. “We deliberately chose not just to renovate here, but to rethink the space. The result is a holistic concept that reflects, both functionally and visually, the standards we set for this location,” Böder continued. The modernization of T13 not only strengthened operational performance but also significantly enhanced the building’s exterior appearance. Today, the site stands as a visible statement of innovation, quality, and sustainability—and thus as a fitting setting for the development work carried out here every day. The Nordschleife as a benchmark: From development to measurable performanceA central component of this overall concept is the topic of performance: For the work that begins at T13 finds its high-profile culmination on the track—in the form of official, timed laps on the Nordschleife. These so-called record runs are far more than mere best times: They are an internationally recognized seal of quality for development work under real-world extreme conditions. “If a vehicle performs convincingly on the Nordschleife, that’s a strong selling point for the market. The combination of testing, development, and verifiable performance makes the Nürburgring unique,” says Managing Director Christian Stephani. To ensure maximum transparency and comparability, these runs take place under clearly defined conditions—including notarial supervision, certified measurement technology, and technical inspection of the vehicles. Last year alone, 20 such record slots were allocated, with 14 of them resulting in officially communicated lap times. “The demand shows the significance the Nordschleife holds for manufacturers worldwide. Performance at this level is no coincidence, but the result of intensive development work—and that is precisely where it begins here at T13,” says Stephani.With its investment in the “Test and Performance Center | T13,” the Nürburgring is sharpening its decades-old slogan, “Everyone praises what’s Nürburgring-tested,” as a clear promise for the future. Testing, development, and measurable performance are coming further into focus—and the Nordschleife remains the place where it is decided what a vehicle can truly achieve.