Daniel Juncadella is part of the #3 Mercedes-AMG entry for the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, sharing the car with Max Verstappen, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer, in one of the most anticipated lineups of the event. Juncadella knows exactly what the Nurburgring demands. The Spaniard returns to the Nordschleife this year, back behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3, and alongside Max Verstappen. After a one-year stint away from Mercedes machinery, Juncadella says returning to the brand feels like coming home: “It’s a car I know very well for many years, especially at the Nordschleife,” Juncadella exclusively told Motorsport Week. “Last year I drove the Lamborghini, but it was maybe more of a one-off event for me. This feels much more natural, more like what I’m used to at the Nürburgring. “I think it’s a great year to be back in a Mercedes. Unfortunately, I haven’t won this in the 10 years already, so I think my time is coming.” The headline story entering the weekend, however, is Verstappen’s involvement. While the four-time Formula 1 world champion’s presence has generated massive attention around the event, Juncadella says the dynamic inside the team has been seamless from the beginning. “Very cool,” he said when asked about working with Verstappen. “He’s a good friend. I’ve known him for a lot of years now. We shared a lot in sim racing, and now we get to share it in real life, which is definitely very cool. “He’s a guy that brings a lot not only to me, but also to the world of endurance racing. I think it’s just great that he’s here.” The connection between the two drivers goes back several years, long before this Nurburgring project came together. Juncadella revealed he had often spoken with Verstappen about a future move into