Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Verstappen's GT3 Retires; Engel, Stolz Win Race

5/17/2026

23 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Verstappen Retires

Max Verstappen’s #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 retired with three hours left after a driveshaft failure led to a pit stop.
Daniel Juncadella reported an ABS warning and rear-right noises before the car limped to the pits.
Stefan Wendl said the driveshaft failure also damaged the rear axle, needing up to an hour of repairs.
Maro Engel, Luca Stolz and teammates won in the #80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 after Verstappen’s lead grew to 45 seconds.

Summary

Lamborghini Recovers

#84 Red Bull Team ABT Lamborghini got an 86-second penalty for Luca Engstler exceeding the Code 60 limit and a puncture from Dani Juncadella, dropping it to third.
Walkenhorst Motorsport’s #34 Aston Martin received a 32-second penalty for passing under yellow flags, moving it behind the Lamborghini.
Despite the penalties and puncture, the #84 Lamborghini recovered to finish second on the podium.

History

Historical Context

In 1999 Mercedes-Benz withdrew its sport-scar program after three CLR cars became airborne, the final incident sending Peter Dumbreck’s car into the woods. The crash echoed earlier safety-driven shifts, from the 1955 Le Mans disaster that spurred circuit redesigns to the 1990s trend of manufacturers entering and then exiting the series, leading the ACO to tighten aerodynamic regulations.

1 of 3

Verstappen Retires

Max Verstappen’s #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 retired with three hours left after a driveshaft failure led to a pit stop.
Daniel Juncadella reported an ABS warning and rear-right noises before the car limped to the pits.
Stefan Wendl said the driveshaft failure also damaged the rear axle, needing up to an hour of repairs.
Maro Engel, Luca Stolz and teammates won in the #80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 after Verstappen’s lead grew to 45 seconds.

1 / 3