Arjun Maini delivered an impressive performance during Qualifying 2 for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, finishing ahead of four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen in the SP9 category. Driving the #64 Ford Mustang GT3 for Haupt Racing Team, Maini clocked an 8:11.278 lap to secure fourth place in one of world motorsport’s most competitive GT3 grids.

Nurburg: India’s Arjun Maini delivered an impressive performance, driving for the Haupt Racing Team (HRT) Ford Performance, in Qualifying 2 for the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, finishing ahead of four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen on the timesheets in one of the most competitive GT3 fields in world motorsport.

Competing in the headline SP9 category, Maini clocked an 8:11.278 lap in the #64 Ford Mustang GT3 during the second qualifying session at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The Indian driver ended the session fourth overall in SP9, ahead of Verstappen’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 entry, which posted an 8:11.614 lap.

The result came in a packed 161-car field at the iconic endurance classic, which features more than 20 classes; one of the most diverse grids in global motorsport. This year’s edition also marks the event’s largest starting grid in over a decade.

“It’s always special to be competitive at the Nürburgring because the level here is incredibly high. The SP9 field is stacked with factory drivers and top teams, so to put together a lap like that feels really satisfying. The car felt strong throughout the session and we’ve been making good progress with the setup. There’s still work to do before the race, but it’s definitely a positive start for us,” Arjun Maini commented.