Verstappen secures Nordschleife GT3 race license with NLS outing

Fresh from winning the Italian Grand Prix, the four-time Formula 1 world champion achieved a new milestone at the Nordschleife, earning the DMSB Permit Nordschleife required to compete in GT3 machinery at the legendary German circuit.

The Dutchman, who tested a Ferrari 296 GT3 under the pseudonym Franz Hermann earlier this year, entered the ADAC Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS7) in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS. Partnered by 22-year-old Englishman Chris Lulham, Verstappen completed the necessary requirements to obtain the coveted race license.

“Racing is not just my profession, but also my hobby,” Verstappen said ahead of the weekend. “This weekend I am at the Nordschleife with the goal to qualify for the mandatory race permit needed to race here in a GT3 car, which I would love. The Nordschleife is at the top of my list of tracks I want to race on, as it’s extremely challenging and demanding, with its enormous length and tight historical layout. I can’t wait.”

On Saturday morning, Verstappen qualified in damp conditions with a 10:21.591 before lining up for the 4-hour race in the afternoon. He took the rolling start in the 114-car field, completing two clean seven-lap stints. His best effort in the restricted GT4 machinery was a 9:01.410 before handing over to Lulham.

Rain then forced a strategy shuffle as Lulham pitted for wets early in his stint. A final stop for slicks as conditions improved allowed the pair to complete 24 laps, finishing 27th overall. A second entry, also shared by Verstappen and Lulham, added to their mileage to ensure both drivers ticked off the experience requirements.

Verstappen summed up: “I’m happy it all went smooth, and I got my DMSB Permit Nordschleife. I really enjoyed myself, but that’s always the case around here. It was good to drive stints in the race with traffic, both with faster and slower cars.

"There was also a ‘code 60’ race neutralisation, double waved yellows and a standard yellow flag. I drove in the wet, the dry and in mixed conditions. I’ve gained experience in where the grip is and isn’t and completed a start procedure. It was really good to gain more experience on this circuit," added Verstappen.

The Nürburgring Nordschleife, nicknamed the “Green Hell”, remains one of the most demanding tracks in global motorsport. At 20.8 km long, its constantly changing grip levels and punishing layout are a unique challenge, and Verstappen made clear he relishes the prospect of returning in GT3 machinery.

“It’s challenging and today we saw that some parts of the track were dry and other parts wet,” he explained. “The track surface also differs around the circuit, which makes it difficult to string a lap together, but it’s also what makes it special. To contest a 24-hour race here, in a GT3 car, would be amazing.”

With the license secured, Verstappen is now eligible to compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, adding another ambition to the already packed schedule of Formula 1’s reigning four-time world champion.

After winning the Italian Grand Prix in style last time out, the Dutchman heads to Baku next week for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, for Round 17 of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship.