Disqualification Controversy: Team Penalized for Using 7 Tyre Sets Instead of the Allowed 6
What should have been a triumphant return to endurance racing for Max Verstappen turned into one of the most talked-about controversies of the season, after a dominant NĆ¼rburgring victory was dramatically erased hours after the chequered flag.
The incident occurred during the second round of the NĆ¼rburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS2), where Verstappen competed in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 entry operated by Verstappen Racing with support from Winward Racing. From the very beginning, the performance was nothing short of commanding. Verstappen secured pole position and, alongside teammates Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella, controlled the race with confidence and precision.
Despite an early battle for the lead, the No. 3 car eventually pulled clear of the competition. By the final stint, Verstappen had built a comfortable advantage, crossing the finish line nearly a minute ahead of rivals ā a result that appeared to confirm a flawless execution by the team. ļæ½
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Celebrations followed. The drivers stood on the podium, fans applauded what seemed like a deserved victory, and the result looked set in stone.
But motorsport, especially endurance racing, often saves its biggest twists for after the race.
During routine post-race checks, officials discovered a critical breach of regulations. Data from the official tyre monitoring system revealed that the team had used seven sets of tyres instead of the maximum six permitted under NLS rules. ļæ½
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In endurance racing, tyre allocation is not a minor detail ā it is a core part of race strategy. Using an extra set can provide a significant performance advantage, offering fresher grip, improved lap times, and better consistency over long stints. Because of this, the rules are strict, and violations carry severe consequences.
The stewards had little choice.
The No. 3 car was immediately disqualified, and the victory was stripped from Verstappen and his teammates. ļæ½
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The decision reshuffled the final standings, handing the race win to the ROWE Racing BMW crew of Dan Harper and Jordan Pepper, who had originally finished second on the road. ļæ½
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For Verstappen and his team, the emotional swing was dramatic ā from celebration to disappointment in a matter of hours.
Team principal Christian Hohenadel later acknowledged the mistake, describing it as an internal error rather than intentional rule-breaking. The issue reportedly stemmed from a miscalculation during qualifying and race preparation, particularly involving multiple driver and tyre changes. ļæ½
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āIt hurts,ā the team admitted, emphasizing that the disqualification was a tough but fair outcome under the regulations.
Importantly, this incident also explains why some reports suggest that āthree drivers were disqualified.ā In endurance racing, the car is entered as a single entity shared by multiple drivers. Therefore, when a rule violation occurs, it applies collectively ā meaning Verstappen, Gounon, and Juncadella all lost the victory together, even though the error was team-related.
Despite the setback, there were positives to take. The performance itself demonstrated Verstappenās adaptability and skill outside Formula 1, as well as the teamās competitive potential at the legendary NĆ¼rburgring Nordschleife ā often referred to as one of the most demanding circuits in the world.
The focus now shifts to redemption. With the prestigious 24 Hours of NĆ¼rburgring on the horizon, the team is expected to learn from this costly mistake and return stronger.
In motorsport, the line between glory and disappointment can be incredibly thin. For Verstappen and his team, this was a painful reminder that even the smallest oversight ā just one extra set of tyres ā can change everything.