Toto Wolff Makes “No-Brainer” Verdict on Nurburgring 24 Hours Schedule Change for Max Verstappen’s

Toto Wolff declared that the NLS changing its schedule to help Max Verstappen participate in the race was a 'no-brainer' decision.

Toto Wolff Makes “No-Brainer” Verdict on Nurburgring 24 Hours Schedule Change for Max Verstappen’s

Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen (via AP)

Max Verstappen debuted in GT3 while racing around the Nurburgring back in 2025. The Dutchman achieved victory on his very first appearance and helped the sport peak at over 300k viewers on the live stream. As such, Verstappen is planning to participate in the upcoming 24 Hours at the Nurburgring in the 2026 season. Now, Toto Wolff opens up on why the race schedule was changed just to enable the four-time F1 champ to race in it.

Max Verstappen‘s entry at the Nordschleife helped the series peak in terms of global live viewers. The NLS live stream witnessed an upwards of 350k viewers, with the Sky Sports coverage having over 175k viewers. This was definitely a big jump from their usual viewership, and it could be attributed to Verstappen and his entry to the race.

Now, in the 2026 season, NLS moved its second race of the season since it clashed with F1’s Japanese GP, which would’ve disallowed Max Verstappen from participating in it. Toto Wolff opened up on the situation and how Mercedes AMG discussed the matter with the governing body and postponed the race to an earlier date to allow Verstappen’s entry.

Toto Wolff recalled that he wasn’t aware of the uptick in viewers on the NLS livestream for the Nurburgring race. However, live viewers peaked solely because Max Verstappen participated in the race. As such, it was a no-brainer decision by the NLS to change the date of the second race to help Verstappen. Moreover, Wolff joked that the Dutchman driving a Mercedes was something he always enjoyed and was looking forward to.

I don’t know the figures I heard, I can’t remember them, but between a normal NLS round, you have like 100 times more spectators on YouTube than with Max participating than otherwise, It was like 10,000 to 750,000 or something crazy, you need to read it up. So it’s a no-brainer to change it. It’s great for the Nurburgring 24 Hours, for the fans to have Max there. And obviously him driving a Mercedes is something we enjoy!

Toto Wolff said, as reported by RacingNews365.

Toto Wolff reveals ‘obvious benefits’ of Max Verstappen participating in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring

Max Verstappen’s entry to the 2026 24 Hours of Nurburgring isn’t official yet, but the sport changing its dates to fit the former in the schedule would certainly help the situation. Verstappen also signed with Mercedes for his own GT racing team, Verstappen Racing. As such, if the Dutchman decides to race under the German carmaker’s flag in the NLS race, it would be a win-win for everyone involved.

Max Verstappen testing GT3 at Nurburgring (via Verstappen.com)
Max Verstappen testing GT3 at Nurburgring (via Verstappen.com)

Toto Wolff revealed that he was not personally involved in the process of shifting the NLS race to another date. Rather, it was AMG alongside the NLS organisers who were involved in the process. Regardless, Wolff did not fail to acknowledge the obvious benefits for all the participants and the series if Verstappen were to enter the race.

It wasn’t me personally, it was AMG together with the NLS organisers, It’s an obvious benefit for all the participants and for the series.

Toto Wolff noted.

The 2026 season of Formula 1 has already received some mixed opinions from the drivers. Max Verstappen trying his hand at other motorsport categories is a great way for others to be motivated to do the same. Verstappen seems to have a Midas touch as he improves viewership for any category he races in. Formula E might be in the cards next for the Dutchman following his joke and the CEO’s formal invitation to the former to race in the electric category.

Read More: Brad Keselowski Invites Max Verstappen to NASCAR After 2026 F1 Rules Meltdown