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”
Marco Lo Prato, 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.”