Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen dominated the opening four-hour race of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 but was disqualified two hours after the finish. The jury found that his team used seven sets of tires instead of the allowed six.
Max Verstappen used the Formula 1 break for a stint on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Together with Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, the 28-year-old Dutchman drove the Mercedes-AMG GT3 of the Mercedes-supported Verstappen Racing team to class victory in the four-hour race of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie. He took pole position in the morning, led early after a strong start, and built a nearly one-minute lead despite temporary overtakes. The track, known as the 'Green Hell', is considered extremely demanding and dangerous. Verstappen gained experience for the planned 24-hour race there. Unaware of the disqualification, he said: “This is the craziest racetrack in the world – said positively. It was a great experience to drive here. This place is simply super. It was really fun and I felt really comfortable.” Two hours after the race, the series announced that seven tire sets instead of six had been used. The stewards disqualified the team retrospectively. Verstappen's next outing at the Nürburgring is planned for the weekend of May 14 to 17, where he will again drive a Mercedes. “The Nürburgring is a special place. It's a race you just want to be part of,” he said. In Formula 1, the Red Bull driver awaits further races after two without a podium finish.
