Breaking news from endurance racing: a teammate of Max Verstappen has been hit with a major penalty after a serious safety breach at the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife.
GT driver Oleksandr Kosohov has lost his Nordschleife racing licence following a dangerous incident during qualifying for a Nürburgring endurance event. The episode has once again highlighted the strict safety standards enforced at one of the most challenging and unforgiving tracks in world motorsport.
Kosohov was participating in preparations for the Nürburgring 24 Hours qualifiers when officials determined he had committed a significant violation of racing regulations. During the session, he failed to respect double yellow flag conditions—one of the most serious infractions a driver can make on track.
Reports from race control confirmed that Kosohov was clocked traveling at approximately 201 km/h through a section where double yellow flags were clearly displayed. These flags signal a major hazard ahead, such as a crash, debris, or marshals working on track, and require drivers to slow down immediately and be ready to stop if necessary.
Ignoring such warnings is treated with zero tolerance in motorsport due to the extreme risk involved. Not only does it endanger the driver responsible, but it also puts other competitors, track marshals, and emergency personnel in direct danger. At a circuit as fast and complex as the Nordschleife, the consequences of such negligence can be catastrophic.
Following a review of the incident, race stewards acted quickly and decisively. They concluded that the severity of the breach warranted the strongest penalty available. As a result, Kosohov’s Nordschleife permit was revoked on the spot, meaning he is no longer allowed to compete at the circuit for the foreseeable future.
The decision sends a clear message about the importance of discipline and awareness in endurance racing, particularly at venues known for their high-speed risks. The Nürburgring, often referred to as “The Green Hell,” demands absolute respect from drivers—and any lapse in judgment is met with firm consequences.
This incident is likely to spark further discussion within the motorsport community about safety enforcement and driver responsibility, especially during high-pressure qualifying sessions where risks can escalate quickly.