P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The No.3 Team Verstappen car is running in the lead at the end of hour six
The No.3 Team Verstappen Mercedes is currently leading the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours race after six hours of intense competition. During the sixth hour, the No.3 car managed to overtake the sister No.80 Winward-run Mercedes following a pitstop for wet tires as the rain intensified. Lucas Auer, now driving the No.3 car, regained the lead early on lap 36 after trailing the No.80 out of the pits. Max Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 world champion, took the wheel of the No.3 Mercedes at the start of the race. Despite facing challenges, Verstappen built a significant lead before handing over to teammate Jules Gounon. Gounon faced pressure from the competition but maintained the lead after key rivals encountered difficulties on track. With Auer now behind the wheel, the No.3 holds a slim margin over the No.80 as the race enters its seventh hour.
