It’s finally happening: Max races at the Nürburgring this weekend

First theory

Max may be a multiple F1 world champion, but he too must get his license before he can race at the Nürburgring. Friday, Sept. 12, is all about the mandatory components: a course on the specific Nordschleife rules, an exam and guided laps with an instructor. If he passes, he will receive the “permit B. This allows you to compete in the NLS, but not yet in the heaviest equipment. Verstappen is therefore stepping into a Porsche Cayman GT4 CS this weekend.

Permit A

Normally, you need at least two NLS races to advance to permit A: complete enough laps in both races, stay error-free and abide by Nordschleife etiquette. As a four-time F1 champion, however, Verstappen has an FIA Platinum license, and that opens up a faster route. If he gets into two different cars within one event and completes a total of 14 laps without incident, the A-status can come right away. That makes Saturday (NLS7) extra interesting; Sunday’s race (NLS8) then becomes a bonus or perhaps even unnecessary.

Why the rush?

Because there is another dot on the calendar: NLS9, on the weekend of Sept. 26-27, between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix. With permit A in his pocket, Verstappen can already make his debut there in a GT3 car. And let there be close ties with Emil Frey Racing and the Ferrari 296 GT3 of Verstappen.com Racing in which he already tested at the Nürburgring earlier this year. Back then he did so as inconspicuously as possible – under the pseudonym Franz Hermann.

24 hours as a final goal

Verstappen has never hidden the fact that the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is high on his wish list. Moreover, the 2026 edition falls conveniently in the F1 calendar, making the dream more realistic than ever. Qualifying for NLS7 begins Saturday at 8:30 a.m., with the race starting at noon. Sunday will follow NLS8 with the same times.

Also read: Gianpiero ‘GP’ Lambiase: who is the man on Max Verstappen’s onboard radio anyway?