How Max Verstappen Caused the Nurburgring To Change Its Permit System

2 weeks, 2 days ago - 18 November 2025, autoevolution

Even at 28, Max Verstappen is already regarded as a trailblazer, having burst onto the scene in Formula 3 in 2014. From becoming the youngest driver to race in Formula 1 and the youngest race winner, the Dutchman has achieved numerous accolades, securing his place in the record books long before his retirement from driving.

However, one venue that doesn't care about these achievements is the Nordschleife, the most fearsome racing track in the world, which has claimed many a driver's ego in the past. The 12.9-mile circuit is not for the faint of heart, and to race there, even the best drivers must undergo a lengthy licensing process to obtain a B permit.

That also applied to Verstappen, but following his exploits this year, a change to the licensing system will be implemented for the 2026 racing season.

So how did Verstappen conquer, then change the Nordschleife?

The seeds for the change began in May, when Verstappen, fresh from finishing fourth in the Miami Grand Prix, went incongito to the Nordschleife for a Friday afternoon drive under the psysdom of Franz Hermann.

Driving a Ferrari 296 GT3, Verstappen was instantly on the pace, setting times in the 7:40s before ending his running in the afternoon. By now, the Franz Hermann cover was blown with autograph hunters keen to catch a glimpse of the current world champion swamping him in the paddock.

The following week, Verstappen returned to his F1 duties at the 'Piccolo Nürburgring', Imola, where he went around the outside of polesitter Oscar Piastri at Tamburello on lap 1 to take victory. However, with the rest of the first half of 2025 proving a nightmare for the Dutchman, Red Bull, keen to keep their lead driver motivated, allowed him to race at the Nürburgring in September.

Fast forward to mid-September, and fresh from a crushing victory at Monza, Verstappen returned to the Nordschleife for the Nürburgring Langstrecken Series,' ADAC ACAS Cup, sharing a detuned Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 with Chris Lulham.
Despite winning the Italian GP a week prior, Verstappen had to return to the classroom, taking tests and completing laps behind an instructor, before being allowed to race a day later with his B permit. The pair finished seventh in class, and after completing 14 clean laps, he received special dispensation for an A permit.

A fortnight later, Verstappen raced in the 57th Barbarossapreis, in a Ferrari 296 GT3 with Lulham. From third, the Dutchman took the lead into Turn 1 and built up a lead of a minute before handing over to Lulham. The pair won from lights to flag to secure a famous victory over the Nürburgring regulars.

The amount of time it took Verstappen to obtain an A permit drew criticism from some, as his credentials alone would have been sufficient to earn it. However, the reigning world champion had to wait hours after his debut to receive special dispensation from a committee to secure it.
In the aftermath, the Deutscher Motor Sport Bund made a change where the Digital Nürburgring Langstrecken Series, the Esports equivalent of the NLS, becomes a stepping stone to obtaining a DMSB Nordschleife permit.

Before his Nürburgring debut, Verstappen, a keen sim racer, clocked up thousands of virtual laps around the Green Hell, making his adaptation process easier and demonstrating to the DMSB the importance of virtual racing.

It now opens the door for those keen to follow in the footsteps of Verstappen and sim racing star Jimmy Broadbent, without having to complete countless tests to obtain their permit.

When will Verstappen return to the Nürburgring?

With Verstappen opting against competing in the NLS season finale on October due to his F1 commitments, attention now turns to when the Dutchman will return to the Green Hell. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has confirmed that Verstappen will be allowed to race at the Nordschleife if he wishes, and there is a possibility he could race in the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

The 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours takes place from May 14 to 17, an off weekend for F1, meaning that if a car were available, Verstappen could race. If he won, Verstappen would join a rare club of drivers, consisting of Nico Hulkenberg and Fernando Alonso, to win a prestigious sports car race on their off weekends. Both drivers had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with Hulkenberg taking victory for Porsche in 2015 and Alonso winning it twice, in 2018 and 2019.

However, there are several hurdles to clear before the Green Hell turns into the Orange Hell. Next year will see a significant regulatory overhaul in F1, accompanied by Red Bull's development of Ford's new power unit, and two long flyaways in Miami and Canada, which sandwich the 24 Hours. Then there's finding a car that Emil Frey will use, coupled with the testing time and preparation races that occur before the main event.

It's these factors which mean Verstappen's participation isn't a certainty. However, if he did race, not only would the 24 Hours become a global event attracting a new audience who wouldn't usually watch GT racing if it weren't for Verstappen. But crucially, if he performed well or even won, the Dutchman would write himself into Nürburgring folklore and add another accolade to his glittering resume.