F1 2026 Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying Results
July 19, 2026
Max Verstappen finally secured his DMSB Nürburgring Nordschleife Permit Grade A which permits him to compete in the GT3 class despite not fulfilling all the official requirements.
The process took place during the ADAC Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS7) race weekend where the reigning Formula 1 world champion aimed to fulfill the rigorous criteria set by the German motorsport authority DMSB (Deutscher Motor Sport Bund).
Securing this permit is essential for drivers wishing to compete in top-tier racing events such as the Nürburgring 24 Hours, one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world, held on the notoriously challenging and demanding Nordschleife circuit commonly known as “The Green Hell.”
To obtain the DMSB Permit Grade A, drivers must demonstrate their skill and competence on the Nordschleife through a combination of theoretical and practical assessments.
Verstappen’s pursuit began with a theory exam at the Nürburgring on the Friday race weekend, ensuring his understanding of the track rules, safety protocols, and race procedures met the standards expected at the iconic circuit.
After this, the crucial on-track test involved participating in the four-hour Nürburgring Langstrecken-Series race on Saturday, racing in machinery suitable for the GT4 and GT3 classes.
Verstappen teamed up with Chris Lulham and joined the Lionspeed GP team to drive a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS, which was slightly detuned in power to meet series regulations.
The rules for acquiring the permit included completing at least 14 laps across two different cars during the race which Dutchman succeeded in achieving, driving the #980 Porsche Cayman GT4 entry.
However, a huge challenge arose when the sister car, numbered #89, suffered technical problems during qualifying, preventing Verstappen from completing any laps during the race.
According to the official licensing criteria, drivers need a minimum of fourteen laps split between two cars, which the Red Bull star could not fully comply with due to the mechanical failure on the #89 car.
Despite the apparent shortfall, the DMSB’s Driving Permit Nordschleife (DPN) committee convened and conducted a thorough review of Verstappen’s performance and circumstances over several hours of deliberation.
They took into account his successful completion of the theory exam, the 14 laps completed in the #980 Porsche Cayman GT4, and his overall competence and professionalism demonstrated on the track under race conditions.
It was acknowledged that Verstappen’s laps were run in realistic racing conditions involving traffic management, navigating faster and slower cars, and responding effectively to race neutralizations such as ‘code 60’ periods and yellow flag zones.
Ultimately, the committee granted Verstappen the Category A permit on an exceptional basis, allowing him to bypass the strict technical rule requiring laps in two cars since his lap count in the available vehicle was sufficient to prove his capabilities and readiness.
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With the official permit, Verstappen now has authorization to compete in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) and the prestigious Nürburgring 24 Hours races in GT3 machinery, something that aligns with his long-stated passion for endurance racing outside of his primary F1 career.
Verstappen expressed satisfaction and excitement about securing the permit, praising the experience of racing under true Nordschleife conditions, which he described as fun despite the inherent challenges.
“I’m happy it all went smooth, and I got my DMSB Nordschleife Permit Grade A,” he said. “I really enjoyed myself, but that’s always the case around here.
“It was good to drive stints in the race with traffic, both with faster and slower cars. There was also a ‘code 60’ race neutralisation, double waved yellows and a standard yellow flag.
“I drove in the wet, the dry and in mixed conditions. I’ve gained experience in where the grip is and isn’t and completed a start procedure. It was really good to gain more experience on this circuit.”
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