Max Verstappen, best known for his Formula 1 career since 2015, is venturing into a new discipline this weekend by making his Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) debut. Verstappen will compete in the 65th ADAC ACAS Cup, the seventh round of the NLS, behind the wheel of a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
Driving car number 980, confirmed by Lionspeed GP, Verstappen joins teammates Matisse Lismont, Chris Lulham, and Kyle Tilley for Saturday’s event, having passed the necessary theory and practical tests to participate. This transition marks a significant step beyond his usual Formula 1 commitments.
Restrictions on GT3 Cars and Permit Requirements
Currently, Verstappen is not authorized to race a GT3 Ferrari on the demanding Nurburgring Nordschleife, as he lacks the required Permit A. To qualify, he must complete 14 incident-free laps in the GT4 Porsche. For now, he holds only Permit B, earned after a course conducted by the German motorsport authority DMSB on Friday evening.
This permit system applies regardless of Verstappen’s four Formula 1 world championships, meaning no special exceptions are allowed. His Permit B allows him to race the detuned Porsche in the CUP3 class. He is anticipated to compete in a Ferrari 296 GT3 for Emil Frey Racing at the upcoming 57th ADAC Barbarossapreis on September 27, contingent on obtaining Permit A following Saturday’s session.
Details of Verstappen’s Porsche and Class Specifications
The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport that Verstappen will drive is specially modified for the CUP3 class, featuring reduced power and additional weight compared to the homologated SRO standard. While the production model delivers 425 horsepower and weighs 1,315 kg, the racing version for Verstappen is detuned to 300 horsepower and weighs 1,350 kg, meeting the Category B requirement of a minimum 4.2 kg per horsepower power-to-weight ratio.
This adjustment places the car firmly within CUP3 regulations rather than other GT4 classifications. There is also potential for Verstappen to drive a second car, the number-89 Porsche competing in the SP7 class, allowing him to increase his track time and experience at the event.
Race Day Schedule and Starting Group Assignments
The 65th ADAC ACAS Cup operates under a straightforward format. Saturday begins with a 90-minute qualifying session, running from 8:30 to 10:00 local time. Afterward, drivers and fans can take part in a pit walk and grid walk, leading into a 20-minute formation lap around the 24.433-kilometer circuit before the race officially starts at noon.
With over one hundred vehicles entered—from high-performance GT3 cars to more modest machines like a Dacia Logan—the starting grid divides into three groups, each paced by its own safety car. Verstappen’s CUP3 class Porsche places him in the second group, which generally includes Porsche Cup vehicles and other GT4 variants.
Sunday continues with the eighth round, the 64th ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen. Although Verstappen is not currently slated for that race, last-minute changes could see him take part depending on Saturday’s outcome.
Challenging Weather Conditions at the Nurburgring
Situated in Germany’s Eifel mountains, the Nurburgring is frequently affected by variable weather, including dense fog. The forecast for Saturday predicts a temperature near 13°C with an 80 percent chance of rain, creating challenging conditions for Verstappen and the other competitors on track.
How to Watch Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring Debut
Fans can follow both the qualifying session and the race live through the VLN’s official YouTube channel or on MotorsportTV. The qualifying coverage will include German commentary, while Radio Le Mans will broadcast the race with English commentary, allowing a broader audience to engage with the action.
Alternatively, enthusiasts can attend the event in person at the Nurburgring, where tickets start at €25. These tickets also provide access to both a pit walk and a grid walk, offering an immersive motorsport experience.
