GT driver stripped of Nurburgring license for serious yellow flag violation

GT racing driver Oleksandr Kosohov has been banned from competing on the Nordschleife after being caught speeding at 201 km/h through a double yellow flag zone during qualifying for the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. The immediate penalty includes disqualification from the event and the revocation of his mandatory circuit license, highlighting the zero-tolerance approach to safety breaches at the legendary track.

Why it matters:

The Nordschleife is one of the most dangerous and demanding circuits in the world, where strict flag discipline is non-negotiable for competitor and marshal safety. A severe penalty for a blatant violation reinforces the critical importance of these rules and serves as a stark warning to all drivers about the consequences of ignoring safety signals, especially at an event as high-profile as the 24-hour race.

The details:

• The incident occurred during a qualifying session on April 18th. Kosohov, driving for Mühlner Motorsport, was recorded travelling 201 km/h (125 mph) in a zone under double yellow flags.
• Nordschleife regulations mandate a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a ban on overtaking when double yellow flags are displayed, indicating a significant hazard ahead.
• Race stewards issued a multi-part penalty: a 95-second stop-and-go penalty for a future race, immediate disqualification from the current event, and the general withdrawal of his DPN (DMSB Permit Nordschleife) license.
• The DPN license is compulsory for all competitors on the Nordschleife circuit. Its revocation effectively bans Kosohov from racing there until he can successfully reapply and be reinstated.

What's next:

The second and final race of the weekend is scheduled to proceed. Notably, Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, sharing a car with Lucas Auer, will start from fifth on the grid. For Kosohov, the path back to racing on the Nordschleife involves a formal reapplication process, underscoring the long-term professional impact of a single safety lapse.