MAX VERSTAPPEN has triggered a change in rules for drivers applying to drive in another motorsport.
The four-time Formula One world champion switched driving series to participate in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie race nine (NLS9) in September.
Verstappen had to earn a full Permit A licence to allow him to compete in the 24 Hours Nurburgring next year – which saw him overtaken by seven cars when he was forced to drive a detuned car when he had his Permit B.
The Dutchman raced in an Emil Frey Ferrari 296 for the GT3 series when he stormed to victory in NLS9, sharing a victory of more than 60 seconds with British driver Chris Lulham.
However, the Germany’s motorsport federation have changed the access regulations to the DMSB Permit Nordschleife (DPN).
And under these rules changes, for the first time it will take sim racing into account.
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The DPN B licence will now allow candidates to count participation in official sim racing competitions of the NLS.
Requirements are also being eased for the Permit A.
Instead of two results and 14 laps needed – which Verstappen was given a special exemption to bypass due to a technical issue with his car when he was trying to earn the permit – applicants will now only need eight laps in a Permit-B car under one result.
Verstappen’s exemplary showing two months ago was a direct trigger for relaxation of the rules.
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VLN sporting director Christian Vormann, who was part in both real NLS race control and the DNLS race direction, confirmed the Red Bull star’s participation in numerous sim events around the track before his real-life racing there had swayed opinion.
Vormann said: “Since the launch of the DNLS in 2020, we have known that sim racing is far more than casual entertainment.
“It reproduces reality in a highly accurate way.
“More recently, Verstappen’s participation in an NLS race showed how crucial virtual preparation can be, especially on the demanding Nordschleife.
“His secret is sim racing.
“Verstappen has completed countless laps on iRacing in the Green Hell, including DNLS events.
“It was no surprise that he immediately felt comfortable.”
Verstappen is set to miss six races in the 2026 NLS season due to his commitments to F1.
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Fortunately, he will still be able to fulfil his goal of racing in the 24 Hours Nürburgring due to it not falling on an F1 weekend and not needing to participate in mandatory qualifiers in April which he will be forced to miss.
Speaking about his future following his successful GT3 debut, Verstappen said: “Of course, we really want to race the 24-hour race, here at the Nordschleife.
“If that’s going to be next year, I don’t know yet. We need more experience, so hopefully we can enter a few more NLS races next year.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
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Verstappen’s appearance in NLS recorded 45 times more viewers on the English broadcast than the previous race without the Red Bull star, with combined viewership reaching 3.7 million.
F1 returns next weekend with the Las Vegas Grand Prix kicking off a season-ending triple-header with one of Verstappen, Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri set to win the World Drivers Championship.
