Verstappen’s Nürburgring Victory Stripped After Post-Race Inspection

Nürburgring, Germany – A dramatic turn of events unfolded after Saturday’s 58th ADAC Barbarossa Prize at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, as Max Verstappen, Dani Juncadella, and Jules Gounon were disqualified from their initial victory in the NLS2 race. The disqualification stems from a post-race tire inspection that revealed the team used seven sets of tires, exceeding the permitted six. The win has been awarded to Dan Harper and Jordan Pepper driving the #99 BMW.

The race, a key event in the 2026 Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), saw Formula 1 champion Verstappen return to the challenging Nordschleife circuit. Starting from pole position, Verstappen initially maintained the lead, but a fierce battle with Christopher Haase in the #16 Scherer Sport PHX Audi quickly developed.

Haase, a seasoned Nordschleife veteran, closed in on Verstappen on the approach to the Döttinger Höhe straight, utilizing the slipstream and a favorable exit from the Galgenkopf passage to overtake the Red Bull-backed Mercedes-AMG GT3. The two drivers engaged in a captivating multi-lap duel for the lead during the opening hour of the race.

Verstappen came close to regaining the lead on lap three, but a “code 60” – a localized neutralization similar to a yellow flag – temporarily halted his progress. He ultimately retook the lead towards the conclude of his stint, pitting just ahead of Haase during the first round of pit stops.

After the pit cycle, Juncadella emerged in second place behind the Audi. The Spanish driver quickly closed the gap and overtook Nico Hantke, who had taken over driving duties in the #16 Audi, establishing a lead that the team would maintain for a significant portion of the race.

Jules Gounon then took over from Juncadella, facing a strong challenge from BMW’s Dan Harper in the #99 M4 GT3 EVO. Harper briefly took the lead before Gounon reclaimed the position, setting up a tense final stint.

With approximately 45 minutes remaining, Verstappen returned to the cockpit, extending the team’s advantage and ultimately crossing the finish line nearly a minute ahead of the competition. The initial celebration, however, proved short-lived.

The disqualification, announced after a thorough post-race inspection, handed the victory to Harper and Pepper in the #99 BMW. Tim Heinemann and Sven Müller, driving the #44 Falken Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R, finished third.

In the SP9 Pro-Am class, the #23 Gamota Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO, featuring Slovakian driver Antal Zsigo, secured third place. A notable moment of the race was the debut of the BMW M3 Touring 24H, which won the SPX class, driven by Ugo de Wilde and Jens Klingmann.

The Nürburgring holds a special significance for Verstappen, with the prestigious 24-hour race looming on the calendar. The 24-hour race is scheduled for the weekend of May 16-17, and represents the peak of the season for Verstappen and his team at the iconic circuit.

This disqualification serves as a stark reminder of the stringent regulations and intense scrutiny present in endurance racing. While Verstappen and his team demonstrated impressive pace and skill throughout the race, the technical infringement ultimately cost them the victory.

The Nürburgring Nordschleife, known as the “Green Hell,” continues to challenge drivers and teams with its demanding layout and unpredictable conditions. The NLS series provides a proving ground for both professional and amateur racers, and the 2026 season has already delivered its share of drama.

The next major event at the Nürburgring will undoubtedly be the 24-hour race, where Verstappen and his team will aim to redeem themselves and compete for the ultimate prize in endurance racing. Fans can follow official updates and results on the NLS website and through team social media channels.