P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen survived a side-by-side clash with the sister Winward Racing-run Mercedes to lead the Nurburgring 24 Hours during his first night stint
During his first night stint, Max Verstappen led the Nurburgring 24 Hours after surviving a side-by-side clash with a sister Winward Racing-run Mercedes. Verstappen took over the Team Verstappen entry in second place, shadowing Maro Engel’s #80 Mercedes before retaking the lead sweepingly on the run to Tiergarten. Despite Engel’s attempts to reclaim the lead and their side-by-side contact, Verstappen maintained his front position. The Team Verstappen entry, with Verstappen, Dani Juncadella, Lucas Auer, and Jules Gounon, had been trading the lead with the #80 Mercedes before Verstappen’s impressive night stint. Despite challenges from Engel and the #99 BMW driven by Kelvin van der Linde, Verstappen held on to claim the lead amidst a casualty list in a frenetic top class.
