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Max Verstappen secures a category A licence at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, closing out an intense programme that strengthens his endurance credentials.
The step elevates his eligibility for flagship events and formalises progress under the DMSB’s Nordschleife permit system.
He upgraded from a category B licence obtained on Friday, then met the remaining requirements on Saturday. The process demanded 14 laps and two classified results to satisfy the higher licence.

Mechanical trouble with his second car limited classified results, yet he completed the 14 required laps in car 980. Officials granted the permit on an exceptional basis.
The day was built around a detuned Porsche Cayman GT4. Pace was secondary. The emphasis was traffic management, procedure, and consistent execution across varying grip.
Verstappen reported a productive run, citing code-60 phases, yellow flags, and fast-changing weather. The mix forced constant adaptation and sharpened stint management.
That exposure matters at the Nordschleife. Code-60 zones compress margins, and restarts reward precise discipline. He also rehearsed start procedures to consolidate race craft on the long lap.
The licence opens doors to events such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, where traffic variance and incident management decide outcomes as much as pure pace.

The next step arrives September 27, with a planned appearance in a Ferrari 296 GT3. That move adds depth in a platform central to global GT racing.
The timing intersects with a tight Formula 1 schedule. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris currently set the pace in the championship, with Verstappen holding third.
This parallel programme signals a deliberate push into endurance racing beyond Formula 1, balancing learning value against calendar and workload.
It also aligns with broader auto racing industry trends, where GT3 synergy and manufacturer backing make multi-platform campaigns increasingly attractive.
Looking ahead, the endurance focus dovetails with potential 2026 development plans, offering extra racecraft in traffic and variable conditions that could translate back to F1.
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Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.