Max Verstappen Dismisses Nürburgring Disqualification as Minor Error While Preparing for 24-Hour Debut

Max Verstappen labels his NLS disqualification a "shame" while confirming his first night-time run on the Nordschleife during the F1 gap.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 7, 2026, 8:51 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

The Technical Oversight Behind the NLS Exclusion

The recent disqualification of Max Verstappen and his teammates Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon at the Nürburgring has been clarified as a procedural error rather than a fundamental performance failure. After dominating the NLS race, the trio was stripped of their win for utilizing seven sets of tyres, exceeding the regulatory limit of six for the qualifying and race sessions combined. Verstappen explained that the extra set was inadvertently fitted to the car during a pit-stop practice session, a move that went unnoticed until after the event. The F1 champion described the incident as a "shame" but maintained that the overall weekend was a success in terms of team integration and competitive pace.

Sharpening Processes Ahead of the May Endurance Classic

Rather than viewing the disqualification as a significant blow, Verstappen suggested it might serve as a necessary "wake-up call" for his endurance racing crew. He noted that the mistake has "put the team on point" ahead of the prestigious Nürburgring 24 Hours, scheduled for May 14-17. The Red Bull driver expressed total confidence in his engineers, citing their long-term success in GT racing as a reason for optimism. By addressing these operational lapses now, Verstappen believes the team will be better prepared for the logistical complexities of a full 24-hour marathon, where pit-stop precision is vital for success.

Night-Time Nordschleife Debut During F1 Hiatus

The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix has inadvertently cleared Verstappen’s schedule to participate in the Nürburgring 24-hour qualifiers on April 18-19. This upcoming session is particularly significant as it will provide the Dutchman with his first experience of driving the legendary "Green Hell" under night-time conditions. Originally, these qualifiers were set to clash with Formula 1’s trip to Saudi Arabia, but the revised 2026 calendar has allowed Verstappen to pursue his long-held ambition of competing in top-tier endurance racing without compromising his primary championship commitments.