Max Verstappen and team-mate Lucas Auer lost a likely victory in the 24h Nurburgring Qualifiers when their Winward Mercedes-AMG made an unscheduled pit stop on lap 10 due to splitter damage.
The #3 Mercedes-AMG was pushed back into the garage, Verstappen exited and Lucas Auer took over while mechanics worked on the car's front. "We don’t yet know exactly why, but we have damage to the splitter," explained team manager Steve Buschmann.
Winward is attempting repairs so Lucas Auer can complete more test laps on the Nordschleife ahead of the 24-hour race on May 14–17, but the team’s sporting hopes for the qualifier were ended.
Earlier, Max Verstappen had built a lead approaching 30 seconds and engaged in a high-profile duel with Audi driver Christopher Haase before making a planned stop on lap six and the subsequent unscheduled stop on lap 10.
This article is based on reporting from Motorsport.
Read the full article at Motorsport.
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