Verstappen set for special Nordschleife licence after NLS debut

Max Verstappen has fallen short of meeting the requirements for a Category A DMSB Permit Nordschleife (DPN) after a mixed NLS debut – but should still receive the licence via a committee decision.

The Formula 1 world champion completed the mandatory 14 race laps aboard the #980 Cayman (Verstappen/Chris Lulham) in Cup 3, yet his second car, #89 Cayman in SP7, suffered damage during qualifying. 

Lulham started from the pitlane but failed to complete a lap of the Nurburgring, leaving Verstappen without the second classified finish usually required for a DPN A.

But for these exact cases, the DMSB provides the so-called DPN-Committee as a decision-making panel. Considering the car officially started the race, Verstappen is expected to be granted Permit A.

The panel has historically shown leniency when a classified finish was lacking but less so when the lap count fell short. Crucially, Verstappen did not commit any sporting infringements during his 14 laps, setting strong times aboard his restricted Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS.

This came amid a variety of track conditions, all of which should weigh in his favour when it comes to the final decision.  

Verstappen is set to skip the Sunday races, but is expected to return to the NLS on 27 September aboard an Emil Frey Ferrari to compete for an overall victory. 

Falken dominates again

At the top of the field, Falken Motorsports once again proved untouchable. Its only real challenger in SP9 Pro, the HRT Ford GT #6 (Frank Stippler/Vincent Kolb), briefly stole the lead in the opening laps thanks to the usual charge from Stippler. 

But over the course of the stint, Falken’s Michelin tyres showed more consistency than the Yokohamas on the Ford. The #3 Porsche (Julien Andlauer/Joel Sturm) reclaimed the lead before the first round of pitstops, while the sister car, the #4 Porsche (Tim Heinemann/Benjamin Leuchter), engaged in a spirited battle with Stippler for second.

HRT’s hopes ended after eight laps when the Ford disappeared into the garage with technical issues, leaving Falken in complete control. Just when the race looked settled, a sudden rain shower on lap 18 spiced things up. The northern part of the circuit was quickly flooded, catching out many teams who gambled with staying on slicks one lap too long. 

Several cars from the smaller classes found the barriers, though the frontrunners survived the treacherous conditions. In the chaos, the #3 extended its lead over the #4 to more than a minute.

After switching to wets, Sturm only had to manage the gap to seal Falken’s latest triumph – the team’s 13th Porsche win in the last 15 NLS races. Porsche remains unbeaten in the 2025 NLS season.