15:00 THE race is over
That was 7 hours 22 minutes at the Nürburgring. 😕
1:30 PM
Restart?
At 13:20 the 10-minute sign was shown.
The drivers would have the opportunity to achieve the minimum laps.
12:00 pm
Still no significant improvement in visibility on the Grand Prix circuit
11:22 pm
Red flag!
The race is interrupted due to fog
16:00
The big 24h race starts
P16
P16 for tomorrow and best Aston on the grid. An exciting 24 hours lie ahead of us. Let's go!
Qualifying 3
Qualifying 2
Pure goose bumps! ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring 2024! Qualifying 1 begins.
The race weekend at the Nürburgring has already begun and I'm going full throttle in the „Green Hell“ today!
I'm delighted to be part of the Walkenhorst Motorsport Team 🏎️🏁🥇💪🏆 and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for us!
Touchdown Nürburgring! With a little surprise. We'll be driving with the pink and blue livery this weekend. I've known about it since Wednesday last week, so a week in advance. But until now it should still be a little secret.
From the first moment I heard about it, I thought it was a really great idea. The car is now an absolute eye-catcher, so you can easily recognise it on the track or on TV. It's also really nice for all the fans out there. And for social media pictures.
I immediately had Nike in mind when I heard the story that they did a survey for tennis about which outfits best match the blue courts of the Australian Open. Especially in terms of recognition on social media. The answer was white outfits with eye-catching (pink, orange) shoes, so that explains their playing attire from 2017 and 2018. And I thought, without any science, that an eye-catching car design with the green of the trees on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the background would fulfil the same purpose.
I also like the paintwork of the car and it reminds me a little of the new Germany away jersey for the upcoming European Championships in Germany. That's why I affectionately call the car the DFB car when I refer to it.
24h Nürburgring this week! Here we go! I'm very excited and looking forward to the race weekend. The privilege of taking part in such a big, historic and prestigious race means so much to me. But this is not the end for me. I have already put a lot of effort into preparing for this event and will continue to do so on and off the track this weekend.
I will do everything I can to make the most of this incredible, golden opportunity and achieve the best possible result. I can't wait to do that. Let's go!!! All together and make this unique!
Start of the 24h race week! On Monday I had a photo shoot in Rheinbach at Foto Eich, about an hour away from the Ring, in my racing suit with the official 24h race badges. Some cool pictures were taken. Here you can see two of them. You will be able to admire more in the near future on my channels (website, social media etc.) as well as on my official 24h fan material. You will find out more about the fan material soon, so stay tuned, it will be worth it!
I wanted to change the location for a couple of days in order to create new stimuli, break the rhythm, etc. A different area, a different route, a different mountain run, etc. The Tegernsee had always been on our agenda, but we had never managed to train there. So it's now or never, this is the perfect place to get the new stimuli I wanted to take with me and also get the vibes. Something you should never underestimate in general. However, equipped with little local knowledge, I first had to ask around. I was given the Riederstein recommended. It's supposed to be quite nice to walk up.
I set off unsuspectingly. The first ascent, a gradient of around 17% and 50 metres in altitude over 300 metres of trail. Let's go! Heart rate up straight away, then a little flatter, but not long before the next ascent came and this time no longer on a nice path, but root scrub and rocks on the edge of a slope. But as with the 24-hour race, you have to be prepared for all eventualities. Accordingly, I kept up my pace! Forwards! Upwards! Allez! And always keep my concentration high. At some point it got a bit muddy.
My shoes were less happy, but never mind, „Onwards and upwards“ to quote Oli 😉 Now a continuous 10% to 15% gradient and always look where you're going. My own green hell away from the Nürburgring. After half an hour, the terrain flattened out at the top, but no more resting, now it was time to pick up the pace to make up the time lost on the climb. In good spirits, I set off on the last kilometre according to my mobile phone map, but the beautiful flat terrain was soon over.
There were steps ahead. Many steps, a crossroads to the summit. But no excuses, mobilise the last of our strength and sprint up at full speed (always the motto 😉). „Respect“ said an oncoming hiker, while others just looked in disbelief. But full focus on me, on my legs and onwards. It was so incredibly intense, my heart rate was at the limit, but I didn't let up and crowned the mountain run with an average speed of 10.4 km/h over the last 1000 metres.
Once I reached the top, I was literally breathless and crucified, but exhausted. It's very idyllic with the little chapel and you have a wonderful view. But to be honest, after the effort, I wasn't quite ready to take it all in. My pulse was still at the ceiling.
In the end, it wasn't a great run, but I was incredibly proud of myself and my performance and it was exactly the training I wanted. To get to the maximum and beyond in order to be optimally prepared for the 24 hours.
Unfortunately, we were unable to finish the race today NES 2 because it was cancelled at short notice. The official reason for the cancellation was the cancellation of 80 sports officials at short notice before the race, which made it impossible to hold the race for safety reasons. It is a great pity that everything around the Nürburgring has become very politically charged in recent months. It could almost be a Hollywood script what has happened here. For those who are not fully immersed in this topic, I would like to summarise the cornerstones of this whole issue once again.
The issue began at the end of last year when the Nürburgring was removed from the previous endurance series NLS no longer granted any dates for 2024. Instead, the race dates were awarded to a newly founded NES series. Allegedly without a final concept at the time. The NLS took legal action against this before the Koblenz Higher Regional Court and was finally granted the right to be allowed to organise races on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The dates were evenly distributed and both series were allocated 5 race weekends with a total of 6 races. But behind the scenes, the dispute continued and each party tried to outmanoeuvre the other. Almost every week you heard something new in this big political issue. For example, the spontaneous change of the payment deadline for the track hire fee in order to avoid the other party and much more. In the end, unfortunately, the players and the sport as a whole are the ones who suffer. They didn't know for months whether races could be held on the Nordschleife at all and if so, in what form. And as you can see now, this „Never Ending Story“ unfortunately continues.
Back to the present. We are very disappointed that we were unable to ride, as it would have been our dress rehearsal before the 24. After a very productive and successful test session yesterday, we wanted to put the finishing touches on today. Everyone put a lot of energy into it, but we can't change it and have to adapt to the situation. I've already played a few laps in my home simulator again. The full focus is already on the 24 hour race Beginning of June.
Nevertheless, I would like to say something in conclusion. I would like to thank all the people who Nürburgring involved in this topic are asked for respect and fair play. Towards the drivers, teams, mechanics, factories, sponsors and partners and, of course, the public, the fans, the soul of the Ring. What happened this weekend is absolutely outrageous and no way to behave. Everyone may have their own interests, but in the end the sport and the community should always take centre stage. After all, it only works together!
Mixed feelings after the first race weekend of the season
After the first race went well, we had to cope with a setback in the second race. Nevertheless, we have learnt a lot with the new car and are now looking ahead to next weekend to put what we have learnt into practice.
The upcoming NES race weekend The 4-hour race on Saturday will also be the last test for us before the big 24 hour race at the beginning of June. We want to test a few little things again so that we are as well prepared as possible. Let's tackle it together!
The first race weekend is coming up. 
After successful test drives, I finally have the honour of driving the new 665 hp Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo around the legendary Nürburgring North Loop because I will be piloting ADAC 24h Qualifying Race will start. 
I'm going to have a look at the cockpit with Chandler Hull, Mike David Ortmann and Patrick Assenheimer share. I'm really looking forward to it. After all, it will be the first time since 2019 that I return to the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, the so-called Green Hell. I can't believe it's been so long. It's sometimes crazy how quickly time flies.
But now the day has finally come for me to go full throttle again on one of my absolute favourite tracks. I am highly motivated and want to continue my success story on the Nürburgring continue. Let's all get the maximum out of it together!
My goal has always been to take part in the biggest racing events and fight for the most prestigious crowns in motorsport. After winning the 24h Dubai another exciting day of riding lies ahead. And that's why I'm preparing really hard, as most of you have probably already seen in my reports. Now is the time to finally talk about it. 😎🚗💨
I am delighted to announce my race programme for 2024, which includes an absolute cracker 😊✌🏼🏁.
- 24h Nürburgring qualifying race (13 - 14 April)
- NES race on the Nürburgring (3 - 4 May)
- 24h Nürburgring (31 May - 2 June)
So now it's out! I'm going to take on the challenge of the „Green Hell“ this season. I am fulfilling a dream! I will do this in the brand new 665 hp Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo do. Together with the successful Walkenhorst Motorsport Team. Let's go!!! 🔥🔥🔥
Benjamin Mazatis takes on the challenge of the „Green Hell“. The 26-year-old from Bruckmühl will compete in the legendary 24-hour race at the Nürburgring from 30 May to 2 June 2024, driving the brand-new, 665-hp Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo around the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. Mazatis will contest the race together with the renowned Walkenhorst Motorsport Team. This team has made a name for itself beyond the motorsport scene with DTM victories and overall victory at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
Last year, Mazatis successfully took part in the 24-hour race in Dubai. After the warm desert weather, he is now heading to the Eifel with its unpredictable weather changes. The 24-hour race on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife is one of the most prestigious races in motorsport. With its 20.832 km (in the 24-hour race, combined with the GP circuit, even 25.378 km), the track is considered the most demanding race track in the world. The Nordschleife pushes the drivers to their limits and sometimes even beyond. As there are hardly any run-off areas, even the smallest mistake is penalised. However, Mazatis comes to this track with good experience. He completed his first Nordschleife race in 2016 and won straight away. This was followed by further successes and victories. But the 24-hour race is still missing from his list.
For drivers, teams and manufacturers, winning the 24-hour race is a career highlight. But the race is also one of the highlights of the motorsport season for fans. In 2023, 235,000 spectators attended the race on site. Those who couldn't make it to the track sat in front of the TV. This year, the race will once again be broadcast live for 24 hours on free-to-air TV on RTL Nitro.
Track knowledge is one of the keys to success. Over the winter, work was carried out on many areas of the Nordschleife and the tarmac was changed. In order to be suitably prepared, Mazatis will take part in the qualifying race on 13-14 April and the NES race on 3-4 May.
„I'm really looking forward to this challenge. Last year Dubai, now the 24h at the Nürburgring - to drive a GT3 in these races and be able to fight for overall victory is simply fantastic. My goal has always been to contest the big top 5 endurance races: Le Mans, Nürburgring, Spa, Daytona and Dubai. Of course, I would love to win them all one day. But that's still a long way off. For now, the Nürburgring chapter is on the agenda.“
The car: the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo
Aston Martin Racing stands for success in motorsport. The new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo was unveiled in mid-February. It is a further development of the highly successful Aston Martin Vantage GT3. The model has achieved 52 class victories and 11 world championship titles.
„I've already had the opportunity to test the car intensively at the end of February in Paul Ricard (France) and Barcelona (Spain). It is amazing. Its aerodynamics make it very stable in fast corners. Tyre wear is also very low, which is a particular advantage in endurance races. You could tell from the very first moment that everything was very intelligently thought out and designed by absolute professionals. Aston Martin wants to build on the success of its predecessor with this car. We are all going into the season with the ambition of continuing this incredible success story and adding a new chapter,“ said Mazatis about his new 665 hp racing car.
The racing team: Walkenhorst Motorsport
Walkenhorst Motorsport is a renowned German motorsport team. The team won the 24 Hours of Spa in 2018 and the Intercontinental GT Challenge in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, Walkenhorst Motorsport, based in Melle, Lower Saxony, competed in the DTM and achieved a number of successes, including three victories and several podium finishes. In 2023, the team won the Asian Le Mans Series. The switch to Aston Martin took place this year.
„Walkenhorst Motorsport is a great team that has made a name for itself beyond the motorsport scene thanks to its numerous successes in the recent past,“ says Mazatis. „From the very first moment, I felt that we were all pulling together and that everyone is motivated to work hard in order to achieve success on the race track. I'm delighted to be here now and to be going down this path with this team.“
Three questions for Benjamin Mazatis
What does it mean to you to compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hours?
When we were young, we did this race on the console or on the PC. If you didn't have a racing game at home, you drove it at a friend's house. Together with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is the biggest and most important motorsport race in the world. It is every driver's dream to drive this race in the top class and fight for overall victory. I can now experience this - in a real racing car and no longer virtually. It's something very special and I'm already looking forward to it immensely!
What is your goal for the race?
Of course I want to be as successful as possible. However, to speak of winning intentions in a race like this would be a little over the top. For long-distance races like this, the rule is: „You can't win the race, it makes you win!“ I also felt that in Dubai. We were very fast, probably the fastest car in the entire field, but we didn't have the necessary racing luck. The competition is still strong. There are guys competing who have won everything in international motorsport in recent years. At the end of the day, everyone wants to win the race, but only one team can win. That's why I'm focussing fully on myself, my preparation and my race performance. The first priority is to make sure the car sees the chequered flag after 24 hours. That is always the basic requirement. In that case, you're automatically in the mix and then just see what happens.
What does your preparation look like? Is there a special training programme?
Of course, preparation is a very important factor for later success on the track. This is where the foundation is laid. My previous 24-hour races have established a routine and experience. Nonetheless, every race has its own individual character to which you have to adapt your preparation. I also want to keep improving. I was already in the simulator in England in February and will fly to the island again in April and May to prepare myself optimally. There are also fitness blocks between races and simulator sessions. I train my stamina for at least 70 minutes every day. That's roughly the length of a race stint. On top of that, I alternate between strength training, especially for the shoulder, neck and core muscles, as well as balance and reaction units. I'll be sharing this preparation with you on social media @benjaminmazatis.