« The best race of the year, » says Tom Coronel without hesitation about the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, which will see its 54th running this weekend (16–17 May). Coronel is competing in the German classic for the 15th time and will share the Max Kruse Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II with starting number 19, with compatriots 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 number 75 car, 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.
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: the 25.378-kilometre combination of the Grand Prix circuit and the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring. The almost 100-year-old circuit, with its dozens of bends and numerous elevation changes, is extremely difficult, but that is also what makes it so fascinating. Another factor is the field of competitors, with 161 cars on the entry list this year – the largest number in over a decade. And then there are the spectators. For the first time in history, this year’s race is sold out, which means around 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.
« That’s largely down to Max Verstappen taking part, of course, » explains Coronel. « It’s brilliant that he’s joining in; he’s simply 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 the whole of motor racing. » Team-mate Duncan Huisman adds: « We might notice it even more, because our pit box is right next to the Verstappen team’s pit box, so it might be a bit tricky for us to get into our box, but it’s brilliant that he’s doing this! »
Duncan Huisman became the first Dutch winner of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 2005 and is delighted to be back on the starting grid. « I think this will be my ninth time taking part. I haven’t raced for a few years, but it is great that I’ve been given this opportunity through Tom and JJ, after Rudy van Buren picked up an injury. I’m really looking forward to it! » Jan Jaap van Roon is also looking forward to the race, though he knows what lies ahead: « The Eifel is already known for its changeable weather, and certainly in May, so it’ll be ‘quattro stagioni’, as they say in Italy – four seasons. And then with such a fast GT3 in the rain, that’s quite a challenge… » Alongside Coronel, Huisman and Van Roon, German driver Christian Kohlhaas is also part of the team. He has numerous race appearances to his name and has already secured class victories and titles on the Nordschleife. « I’m looking forward to racing with this team now, » he says.
Tom Coronel will certainly be taking the start in the Audi with starting 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 tarmac – you don’t see that anywhere else in the world, only at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring – and on the next lap you’re just racing right there! It’s truly special; that’s the emotion of motorsport! » The fact that he will also be driving the team’s other Audi later in the race requires careful planning to coordinate the stints and also to comply with the rules on maximum driving and minimum rest times. « But I’m not too worried about that; the team keeps a close eye on it all, » he says.
The Max Kruse Racing Audis run on biofuel and therefore compete in the AT1 class for cars using alternative fuels. On Thursday there are two practice sessions, from 1.15 pm to 3.15 pm and from 8.00 pm to 11.30 pm. On Friday, there is Top Qualifying in three heats, from 10.15 am to 10.45 am, from 11.05 am to 11.35 am and from 1.35 pm to 2.35 pm, with a further qualifying session in between from 12.00 pm to 1.05 pm. On Saturday morning, there is a warm-up from 10 am to 11 am. From 12.45 pm, the cars will be lined up for the race, which is also open to the public. The race starts at 3 pm. In the Netherlands, Viaplay will broadcast the race across multiple channels (Viaplay app, Viaplay TV+ and Viaplay TV). A live stream is also available via the organisation’s website, www.24h-rennen.de