Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing described his Nürburgring disqualification as “a shame” following a minor pit stop error, but believes the incident could strengthen preparations ahead of his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut in 2026.
Verstappen recently competed in an NLS event at the Nürburgring alongside Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, where the trio delivered a dominant performance across the weekend. However, their result was later annulled after exceeding the permitted allocation of six tyre sets, using a total of seven across qualifying and the race.
The infringement was traced back to a pit stop practice procedure, where an additional set of tyres was mistakenly fitted outside standard race usage. While tyre management during the race itself followed expected patterns, the regulatory breach resulted in disqualification.
“We had a really good time together with the team,” Verstappen said.
“Then we had a little mistake during pit stop practice, where an extra set of tyres was added. It’s a shame to lose the result.”
Despite the setback, Verstappen views the incident as a constructive learning moment ahead of his participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, scheduled for May 14–17. He suggested that the experience could sharpen operational discipline within the team as they prepare for the demands of endurance racing.
“At the same time, it probably puts the team on point. Maybe we needed that,” he added.
Verstappen is also set to return to the Nürburgring on April 18–19 for the 24-hour qualifying event, marking his first experience driving the Nordschleife at night. The opportunity arises due to an unexpected gap in the Formula 1 calendar following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
From a technical and organisational standpoint, Verstappen highlighted the strength of the GT programme’s engineering group, noting their established success in endurance racing as a key factor in building confidence ahead of the main event.
“The engineers know exactly what they’re doing. They’ve been very successful in GT racing,” he explained.
“For me, it’s been a really enjoyable experience.”
Alongside his Nürburgring programme, Verstappen continues to be vocal about his concerns regarding the F1 2026 regulations, which he has previously described as limiting from a racing perspective. Nevertheless, his engagement in endurance racing reflects a broader competitive outlook beyond Formula 1.
As the Nürburgring 24 Hours approaches, Verstappen’s dual focus between Formula 1 and endurance competition adds a new dimension to his 2026 campaign. His performance and adaptation in the upcoming events will be closely observed as the season progresses into its next phase.
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