Max Verstappen disqualified from Nurburgring race hours after huge…read more
Max Verstappen endured a dramatic twist to his Nürburgring outing after being disqualified just hours after securing what initially appeared to be a dominant victory in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS).
The four-time Formula 1 world champion had delivered an impressive performance at the legendary Nordschleife, swapping his usual Red Bull Racing machinery for a Mercedes-AMG GT3 as part of his preparation for the upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours. Driving for Winward Racing, Verstappen shared the car with Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon, with the trio producing a commanding display throughout the race.
On track, the team looked unstoppable. Verstappen quickly adapted to the demands of endurance racing and the unforgiving “Green Hell,” helping guide the car to a convincing win. The result was seen as another example of his versatility beyond Formula 1, with fans praising his seamless transition into GT racing.
However, the celebrations were cut short following a post-race inspection. Officials identified a breach of tyre regulations on the No. 48 Mercedes-AMG GT3, leading to the car’s disqualification from the final results. The ruling stripped Verstappen and his teammates of their victory, turning what had been a successful debut weekend into a disappointing outcome.
Team principal Christian Hohenadel addressed the situation, admitting the error came from within the team. He acknowledged that the mistake left race stewards with no choice but to exclude the car and described the decision as a tough one to accept. Hohenadel also apologised to fans who had celebrated the win, especially given the significance of the team’s first full outing as a Mercedes-AMG Performance Team at the Nordschleife.
Despite the setback, there were positives to take from the weekend. Verstappen’s pace, consistency, and adaptability stood out, reinforcing his status as one of the most complete drivers in motorsport. Although the result will not officially stand, his performance highlighted strong potential ahead of future endurance races.
With the Nürburgring 24 Hours on the horizon, this experience—despite its disappointing conclusion—could prove valuable. Verstappen and the team are expected to regroup, learn from the error, and return stronger for the next challenge.