What happened: Max Verstappen celebrated crossing the finish line first in the NLS2 endurance race at Nürburgring Nordschleife by weaving and flashing his lights. He shared the #3 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon, securing a dominant victory by 59 seconds. The celebration was captured in viral videos shortly after the race concluded on March 21, 2026.

Why it matters: The performance showcases Verstappen's talent extending beyond F1 into GT3 racing during the early season. The win highlighted Winward Racing's pace on the demanding Nordschleife circuit. However, the team's disqualification for exceeding tire allocation limits hands victory to ROWE BMW, impacting season standings.

What to watch: Monitor official NLS standings and Verstappen's response to the disqualification. Watch for F1 Australian GP preparations.