Verstappen’s Nordschleife Triumph Snatched by Tyre Technicality
A dominant victory for Max Verstappen, Jules Gounon, and Daniel Juncadella in Saturday’s NLS2 Nordschleife race has been overturned following a technical infringement. The trio, driving the #3 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, were disqualified after the race due to an issue with tyre allocation, handing the win to the #99 Rowe Racing BMW duo of Dan Harper and Jordan Pepper.
The #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 had controlled the race from the moment it secured pole position, showcasing impressive pace and strategy. However, the post-race technical inspection by the stewards revealed that the Winward Racing team had used seven sets of tyres throughout the event, exceeding the permitted allocation of six. This seemingly minor infraction ultimately led to the disqualification of the leading car.
Christian Hohenadel, the team boss at Winward Racing, expressed his disappointment at the outcome. “The disqualification is tough to take,” he stated. “Unfortunately, we made an internal error that left the stewards with no choice but to exclude the winning car. This was our first outing as a full Mercedes-AMG Performance Team on the Nordschleife, and I want to apologise to all the fans who were cheering us on. We’ll analyse every single process today, learn from it, and come back even stronger for the 24 Hours.”
The disqualification of the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 promoted other strong contenders to the podium. The #44 Falken Porsche, piloted by Tim Heinemann and Sven Muller, inherited second place. Joining them on the rostrum was the Losch 48 Motorsport by Black Falcon Porsche, driven by Dylan Pereira, Tobias Muller, and Patrick Assenheimer, who secured third position.
This NLS2 race was a crucial part of Max Verstappen’s preparation for the upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours, scheduled for May. The Dutch superstar was using the event to gain valuable track time and refine his setup on the notoriously challenging Nordschleife circuit. Should Verstappen decide to participate in another warm-up race before the endurance classic, the next available opportunity would be on April 11th.
The NLS (Nürburgring Endurance Series) provides a vital platform for teams and drivers to test their machinery and strategies on the Green Hell. The series comprises several races leading up to the prestigious 24-hour event, offering a comprehensive testing ground for the demanding Nürburgring 24 Hours.
NLS2 Nordschleife Race: A Summary of the Top Finishers
Following the disqualification of the #3 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, the revised podium for the NLS2 Nordschleife race is as follows:
- 1st Place: #99 Rowe Racing BMW (Dan Harper and Jordan Pepper)
- 2nd Place: #44 Falken Porsche (Tim Heinemann and Sven Muller)
- 3rd Place: Losch 48 Motorsport by Black Falcon Porsche (Dylan Pereira, Tobias Muller, and Patrick Assenheimer)
The incident highlights the stringent regulations and meticulous attention to detail required in motorsport, especially at the highest levels of GT racing. Even the smallest oversight can have significant consequences, as demonstrated by this tyre allocation issue.
For Max Verstappen, this setback is a learning experience. His participation in these endurance races signals a growing interest in challenging disciplines beyond Formula 1. The Nürburgring 24 Hours is one of the most iconic and demanding motorsport events in the world, attracting top drivers and manufacturers. Verstappen’s presence in preparatory races underscores his ambition to conquer this legendary circuit.
The Nürburgring 24 Hours is renowned for its unpredictable nature, with variable weather conditions and a vast number of cars on track creating a constant challenge. Teams and drivers must be prepared for anything, from early morning fog to sudden downpours, all while navigating traffic and managing tyre wear over 24 gruelling hours. The NLS series provides the perfect environment to hone these skills. The focus for Winward Racing will now undoubtedly shift to ensuring all regulations are strictly adhered to for future events, particularly the main event in May. Their commitment to learning and improving suggests they will be a formidable force to contend with.
