Last weekend, Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen made his debut at the Nordschleife, but the process to secure his racing permit sparked controversy. The Dutch driver’s attempt to obtain the DMSB Permit A, necessary for competing in GT3 cars at the Nurburgring, was marred by complications that some in the paddock have called embarrassing.
Between races, Verstappen participated in a four-hour event to fulfill the DMSB Permit A requirements, racing in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS with the Lionspeed GP team. He needed to complete at least 14 laps over the course of the race, split between two cars: #89 and #980. While Verstappen successfully met the distance in the #980 car, damage incurred during qualifying in the #89 car initially disqualified him from earning the permit.
After further review, Verstappen was eventually granted the DMSB Permit A, allowing him to compete officially in GT3 class events. Despite this outcome, the drawn-out qualification process drew criticism from figures familiar with the sport, who viewed the hurdles Verstappen faced as unnecessary and humiliating.
Ralf Schumacher’s Critique of Verstappen’s Permit Challenges
Ralf Schumacher, former Formula 1 driver and current Sky Sports pundit, expressed frustration with how Verstappen’s permit application was handled. Speaking to Motorsport-Total, Schumacher praised Verstappen’s enthusiasm for racing but condemned the permit situation as “embarrassing.”
“Instead of everyone being happy that Max is bringing attention to the Nordschleife again, and to what all the drivers achieve there, people are arguing about him getting his permit before he’s even driven there,”
Schumacher said.
“I would have given it to him straight away, of course, or he would have been given a briefing about the Nordschleife and the specific things,”
he added.
“That would have been the end of it. The best driver in the world will manage it if the others can do it, I’m pretty sure of that.”
Schumacher also warned of the negative consequences of denying such opportunities to Verstappen, explaining:
“I think banning him from doing so would likely lead to him either no longer being interested in where he is now, or even becoming cranky.”
Background and Consequences of the Permit Process
Max Verstappen’s quest to obtain the Nordschleife permit highlights the strict regulations governing participation at the circuit known for its difficulty and danger. The DMSB Permit A licence requires drivers to demonstrate experience and competence by completing specific track distances, aiming to maintain safety standards.
Verstappen’s situation brought attention to how these rules are applied, especially for high-profile drivers. While the permit was ultimately granted, the episode exposed tensions between regulatory bodies and the racing community’s expectations, particularly when star drivers are involved.
This incident could prompt discussions around the permit system’s flexibility and whether exceptions should be considered for established champions like Verstappen. Meanwhile, the Dutchman’s permit now enables him to compete in GT3 events at the Nordschleife, potentially drawing more focus to the storied circuit and its racing heritage.
