Max Verstappen faced a difficult introduction to endurance racing on September 13, 2025, as he was overtaken by seven cars before reaching the first turn at the Nurburgring in Germany. The four-time Formula 1 world champion’s challenging start in GT racing highlights the complications surrounding his first outing under restrictive regulations, which limited his vehicle’s performance.
Verstappen’s Transition into GT Racing at the Nurburgring
Just six days after securing victory at the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen ventured into a new motorsport arena by competing in the 65th ADAC ACAS Cup, the seventh round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). Unlike many Formula 1 drivers who take breaks between races, Verstappen has been expanding his experience in other racing formats, including a covert appearance testing a Ferrari at the Nordschleife circuit earlier this year.
During Saturday’s four-hour endurance race, Verstappen started within the second group of cars and initially executed a smooth getaway. However, he was soon overtaken by seven competitors, a stark contrast to his aggressive reputations in F1, particularly in corner entries like turn one.
Why Verstappen’s Car Fell Behind Early
The main reason for Verstappen’s loss of positions was due to the performance limitations placed on his Porsche Cayman GT4. Unlike the standard model, which produces around 425 horsepower, his vehicle was detuned to just over 300 horsepower under Permit B regulations to meet the circuit’s strict licensing requirements for new drivers. The car also weighed slightly more than usual, at 1,350kg, adding further disadvantage against rivals.
These restrictions stem from the Nurburgring Nordschleife’s stringent safety protocols, requiring first-time participants to maintain a power-to-weight ratio of at least 4.2 kilograms per horsepower. Verstappen’s usual race car specifications fall below this threshold, forcing him to compete with an artificially reduced performance package, effectively 130 horsepower less than his competitors in the GT4 class.
Despite these handicaps, Verstappen has demonstrated pace at the Nordschleife, having unofficially set a lap record at the circuit in May. However, during this competitive event, he was unable to challenge for victory as his vehicle’s limitations prevented him from matching the speed of others on the track.
Licensing Hurdles Impacting Verstappen’s Race Pace
Max Verstappen only obtained his Permit B license on the Friday preceding this race, which permitted his participation but also meant he must earn two classified race results before upgrading to Permit A. Failure to meet these licensing criteria would continue restricting his race eligibility and capabilities at the Nordschleife, one of the world’s most demanding tracks.
Ralf Schumacher Criticizes the Rules Affecting Verstappen
Ralf Schumacher, former Williams F1 driver and younger brother of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, expressed strong disapproval of the regulations that held back Verstappen’s performance. He described the situation as “embarrassing” that a driver of Verstappen’s calibre was not granted an exemption from the usual permit requirements.
“Of course, I would have given him that immediately, or he would have been given a briefing about the Nordschleife and the specific things.” —Ralf Schumacher, Former F1 Driver
“That would have been the end of the cheese. The best driver in the world will be able to do it if the others can do it, I’m pretty sure of that.” —Ralf Schumacher, Former F1 Driver
Schumacher also criticized the public discourse around Verstappen having to obtain his permit before even racing at the Nordschleife, urging appreciation for the attention a driver of Verstappen’s profile brings to the venue and its series.
“Instead of many people being happy that Max also brings this attention to the Nordschleife again, and for what all the drivers do there, people argue about the fact that he gets his permit before he even drives. That’s embarrassing.” —Ralf Schumacher, Former F1 Driver
The Wider Impact of Verstappen’s Debut Restrictions
Verstappen’s experience underlines the complexities drivers face when stepping into new motorsport disciplines, especially on circuits with strict safety and licensing frameworks like the Nordschleife. His slowed start shows that reputation alone cannot bypass regulatory measures designed to protect drivers in inherently risky environments.
As Verstappen continues to collect classified finishes and pursues his Permit A license, he may soon compete without performance limitations, potentially becoming a major contender in endurance racing. This progression could boost the profile of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie while also showcasing Verstappen’s adaptability beyond Formula 1.
Ultimately, this episode raises questions about whether top-tier drivers should receive more flexible treatment to accelerate their integration while maintaining safety standards at demanding events, a discussion likely to persist within motorsport governance circles.
