NÜRBURG (May 13, 2026) – “The most beautiful race of the year,” says Tom Coronel without hesitation about the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, which marks its 54th edition this weekend (May 16–17). Coronel is competing in the German classic for the 15th time and will share the Max Kruse Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, bearing start number 19, with fellow Dutchmen Duncan Huisman and Jan Jaap van Roon, as well as German veteran Christian Kohlhaas. Coronel will even be driving two cars, as he will also be in action with the team’s other Audi, the No. 75, which will also be driven by brothers Dominik and Marcel Fugel and team boss Benjamin Leuchter. “It’s going to be a super-intense weekend, as always, but I can hardly wait to get started,” said Coronel with audible enthusiasm.
“Of course, that’s largely thanks to Max Verstappen’s participation, it’s awesome that he’s joining us!”
Tom Coronel – GT3 Driver at Max Kruse Racing
What makes the 24-hour race in the Eifel so special cannot be explained in a single sentence. The challenge, of course, lies primarily in the circuit itself—the 25.378-kilometer combination of the Grand Prix circuit and the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife. The nearly 100-year-old circuit, with its dozens of turns and numerous elevation changes, is extremely difficult—but that’s also what makes it so great. Another factor is the field of competitors: this year’s entry list features 161 cars, the largest number in a decade. And then there are the spectators. For the first time in history, this year’s race is sold out, which means some 300,000 visitors are expected. Weekend tickets are no longer available; at most, there are still a few day tickets left for the practice sessions and Sunday.
“Of course, that’s largely thanks to Max Verstappen’s participation,” Coronel explains. “It’s awesome that he’s joining us; he’s just taking on the challenge, and you can bet he’s going for the top prize! And you can see the impact that’s having. This is good for the race and for motorsports as a whole.” Teammate Duncan Huisman adds: “We might notice it even more, because our pit box is right next to Verstappen’s team’s, so it might be a bit tricky for us to get into our box, but it’s great that he’s doing this!”
Duncan Huisman became the first Dutch winner of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 2005 and is thrilled to be back on the starting grid. “I think this will be my ninth time competing. I haven’t raced for a few years, but I’m really excited that Tom and JJ gave me this opportunity after Rudy van Buren got injured. I’m really looking forward to it!” Jan Jaap van Roon is also excited about the race, though he knows what lies ahead: “The Eifel is already known for its unpredictable weather, especially in May, so it’ll be ‘quattro stagioni,’ as they say in Italy—four seasons. And then driving such a fast GT3 in the rain—that’s quite a challenge…” In addition to Coronel, Huisman, and Van Roon, German driver Christian Kohlhaas is also part of the team. He has numerous race appearances to his credit and has already secured class victories and titles on the Nordschleife. “I’m excited to be racing with this team now,” he says.
In any case, Tom Coronel will be behind the wheel of the Audi with start number 19. “I really wanted to do that; it’s a real goosebumps moment,” he says. “During the formation lap, the fans are right up to the edge of the track—you don’t see that anywhere else in the world, only at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring—and on the next lap, you’re just racing right there! It’s truly special; that’s the thrill of motorsport!” The fact that he’ll also be driving the team’s other Audi later in the race requires careful planning to coordinate the stints and also comply with the rules for maximum driving and minimum rest times. “But I’m not too worried about that; the team keeps a close eye on all of that,” he says.
The Max Kruse Racing Audis run on biofuel and therefore compete in the AT1 class for alternative-fuel cars. On Thursday, there are two practice sessions, from 1:15–3:15 p.m. and from 8:00–11:30 p.m. On Friday, there is Top Qualifying in three heats, from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., from 11:05 a.m. to 11:35 a.m., and from 1:35 p.m. to 2:35 p.m., with an additional qualifying session in between from 12:00 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. On Saturday morning, there is a warm-up from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Starting at 12:45 p.m., the cars will be lined up for the race, which is also open to the public. The race starts at 3:00 p.m. In the Netherlands, Viaplay will broadcast the race across multiple channels (Viaplay app, Viaplay TV+, and Viaplay TV). A live stream is also available on the organization’s website, www.24h-rennen.de.
