Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen has achieved a major milestone in his motorsport ambitions, officially securing his DMSB Permit Nordschleife Grade A after a successful outing at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. The four-time world champion, fresh off his victory at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, is now cleared to compete in GT3 machinery on the infamous “Green Hell” circuit, opening the door to endurance racing events like the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
The 27-year-old Dutch driver, who has dominated F1 with Red Bull Racing, traveled to Germany this weekend to participate in the seventh round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS7), the 65th ADAC ACAS Cup. Despite challenging wet conditions and a minor complication with one of his assigned cars, Verstappen fulfilled the stringent requirements for the top-level permit, which is mandatory for racing in high-performance GT3 categories at the 20.8-kilometer track known for its demanding layout and unpredictable weather.
To earn Permit A, rookies like Verstappen—regardless of their F1 pedigree—must complete an e-learning course, practical training, a theory exam, and at least 14 incident-free laps during a race while achieving two classified finishes, often by driving multiple cars. Verstappen, teaming up with sim racing teammate Chris Lulham from Verstappen.com Racing, piloted a detuned Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport in the CUP3 class for Lionspeed GP. The car, restricted to around 300 horsepower and weighing 1,350 kg to comply with Permit B specifications (a prerequisite step), featured the iconic Verstappen.com Racing x Red Bull livery.
On Friday, Verstappen aced the theory exam and two practical sessions to obtain his initial Grade B permit. Saturday’s action kicked off with a damp qualifying session, where he set a class-best lap time of 10:21.591, securing sixth place in the CUP3 category. In the ensuing four-hour race, which featured 114 cars and started under rolling conditions amid mixed wet and dry patches, Verstappen delivered a flawless opening stint of seven laps before pitting for fuel and tires. The #980 Porsche entry, shared with Lulham, completed 24 laps overall, finishing 27th and the top Permit B CUP3 car—three laps behind the winning Porsche 911 GT3 R.
A hiccup arose when the second car, #89 in the SP7 class, suffered damage during qualifying and couldn’t complete its stint, preventing a full double-start classification. However, a special DMSB committee granted an exemption after reviewing Verstappen’s performance, recognizing his extensive experience and clean driving. “Everything went smoothly,” Verstappen said post-race, according to his official website. “It’s amazing to contest a 24-hour race here.” The decision clears him for GT3 action without needing to race in Sunday’s NLS8 round.
This permit is a crucial step toward Verstappen’s broader endurance racing goals. He has expressed interest in tackling the world’s premier 24-hour events, including the Nürburgring 24 Hours (potentially as early as 2026), Spa 24 Hours, Daytona 24 Hours, Sebring 12 Hours, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His next target is the ninth NLS round on September 27, where he is slated to join Emil Frey Racing in a Ferrari 296 GT3—provided the permit is formalized. The 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours, set for May 14-17, aligns neatly with an F1 calendar gap between the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix.
Verstappen’s foray into the Nordschleife builds on his May test session there under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann,” where he impressed onlookers with his adaptability. “Racing is not just my profession, but also my hobby,” he stated on Verstappen.com. “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.”
