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Indian racing driver Arjun Maini grabbed headlines after outperforming four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen during Qualifying 2 for the prestigious 24 Hours of Nurburgring. Representing Haupt Racing Team (HRT) Ford Performance, Maini delivered an impressive lap in one of endurance racing’s toughest environments.
Driving the #64 Ford Mustang GT3 in the highly competitive SP9 category, Maini clocked a lap time of 8:11.278 at the iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit. His timing placed him fourth overall in the session and ahead of Verstappen’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 entry, which recorded an 8:11.614 lap.
The qualifying session featured a massive grid of 161 entries across more than 20 categories, making it one of the largest and most competitive editions of the endurance event in recent years. The Nurburgring 24 Hours remains one of motorsport’s most demanding races due to its combination of high-speed straights, technical corners, and unpredictable weather conditions.
Arjun Maini reflects on standout qualifying performance
Maini expressed satisfaction after delivering a strong qualifying run against several factory-backed teams and elite GT drivers.
"It’s always special to be competitive at the Nurburgring 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," Arjun Maini said.
"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," he added.
The Indian driver is competing alongside teammates Fabio Scherer, David Schumacher, and Frank Stippler as HRT continues its transition from Mercedes-AMG machinery to Ford’s new Mustang GT3 programme.
Maini opens up on Ford Mustang GT3 project
Maini has been part of Ford’s factory setup since the early stages of the Mustang GT3 programme and has played a role in the development journey leading into the 2026 campaign.
"It’s cool because I did it together with them as well. I joined Ford as a factory driver, and it’s been good to be on this journey," Maini stated.
"We were stronger than expected, and I think we’re ready to build on that this year," he further added.
With another qualifying session still remaining, Arjun Maini and HRT Ford Performance will now look to convert their strong pace into a notable finish during the endurance race weekend.
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