Dani Juncadella will share a Mercedes-AMG with Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Max Verstappen during the ADAC RAVENOL 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. The Spanish driver recently competed alongside Auer and Verstappen in the NLS2 endurance race as preparation for the grueling 24-hour event. In an exclusive interview, Juncadella discusses the unique challenges of sharing a single race car across multiple drivers and offers insights into his experience working alongside the Red Bull Formula 1 driver in an entirely different competitive environment.
Preparing for endurance racing at the Nürburgring
The transition from Formula 1 to endurance racing presents an entirely different set of challenges compared to single-lap qualifying or race-distance sprints. The 24-hour Nürburgring stands as one of motorsport’s most demanding events, requiring teams to manage driver fatigue, vehicle reliability, and strategic pit stops across an entire day and night. Juncadella has significant experience in this arena, making him a valuable asset to the four-driver lineup. His participation in the NLS2 race alongside Verstappen and Auer served as crucial preparation, allowing the team to understand how each driver would adapt to the unique demands of sharing a single car. Unlike Formula 1, where each driver has their own vehicle tailored to their preferences, endurance racing requires constant adjustment and communication as drivers swap seats every few hours.
Verstappen’s curiosity and approach to shared driving
What struck Juncadella most during their NLS2 preparation was Verstappen’s mindset and willingness to learn. The four-time world champion demonstrated genuine curiosity about the technical aspects of endurance racing, asking detailed questions about setup adjustments, fuel consumption strategies, and how to manage tire degradation over extended stints. Juncadella noted that Verstappen constantly seeks to understand the reasoning behind every decision, rather than simply accepting instructions. This intellectual engagement is characteristic of elite competitors who view every racing opportunity as a chance to expand their knowledge. In the context of shared driving, this curiosity becomes invaluable—understanding how each driver prefers to attack corners, manage braking points, and handle tire management across different conditions helps the team function as a cohesive unit.
The dynamics of sharing a Mercedes-AMG with four drivers
Managing four drivers in a 24-hour race requires meticulous coordination and clear communication protocols. Each driver brings their own racing style, physical capabilities, and preferences regarding brake bias, throttle response, and steering wheel angle. Juncadella’s experience competing alongside Verstappen, Auer, and Gounon during the preparation race provided valuable insights into how these personalities would mesh during longer stints. The challenge lies not in finding the fastest individual driver but in ensuring smooth transitions between pilots. When a driver exits the car after a two-hour stint, the next pilot must immediately adapt to different reference points, throttle inputs, and spatial awareness. Juncadella emphasized that Verstappen’s systematic approach to understanding these differences made the transition smoother. Rather than trying to impose his Formula 1 driving style, Verstappen showed flexibility in adapting to what works best for the shared car setup.
Technical demands of endurance racing versus Formula 1
The technical focus in endurance racing differs significantly from Formula 1. While F1 emphasizes qualifying pace and managing tire strategies over 50 laps, 24-hour racing demands consistent, sustainable performance across multiple stints. Fuel consumption becomes critical—drivers must understand how to extract pace while managing fuel loads to minimize pit stop losses. Tire degradation patterns play out over hours rather than minutes, requiring patience and precision rather than pure aggression. Juncadella noted that Verstappen quickly grasped these nuances during the NLS2 race, demonstrating an ability to adjust his natural racing instincts to suit the longer-format environment. The Red Bull driver’s success in Formula 1 stems partly from his adaptability, and this same quality manifested in endurance racing. He understood when to push and when to preserve equipment, finding the sweet spot between pace and sustainability.
Building team cohesion for a grueling event
Success at the 24-hour Nürburgring depends as much on team cohesion as driver skill. With four talented drivers rotating through the car, morale and communication become critical factors. Juncadella emphasized that Verstappen’s approachable nature and collaborative mindset contributed significantly to team unity during preparation. Rather than viewing teammates as competitors, Verstappen focused on collective success, sharing observations and helping other drivers understand what the car needed at any given moment. This mentality is essential in endurance racing, where a single driver’s mistakes or poor performance can derail the entire team’s 24-hour effort. The Spanish driver praised how Verstappen treated the event as a learning opportunity rather than simply adding another trophy to his collection.
Looking ahead to the 24-hour challenge
The ADAC RAVENOL 24-hour Nürburgring represents one of motorsport’s ultimate tests of driver skill, mental fortitude, and vehicle reliability. With Juncadella, Auer, Gounon, and Verstappen sharing the Mercedes-AMG, the team enters the race with considerable talent and preparation. Juncadella’s insights into Verstappen’s approach and professionalism suggest the lineup has developed excellent chemistry during their preparation phase. Success will depend on flawless execution, strategic pit stop management, and the ability to maintain concentration during the darkest hours of the night when fatigue becomes the greatest adversary. The months of preparation now point toward this grueling endurance test.
