Verstappen stripped of Nürburgring GT3 win after tyre‑set error

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen drove a Mercedes‑GT3 to a commanding win at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, taking pole by more than two seconds and finishing 59 seconds ahead. Post‑race scrutineering, however, showed the team used seven tyre sets, exceeding the six‑set limit, and the car was disqualified. The breach stemmed from a garage‑crew procedural error, not driver fault.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen’s GT3 success broadens his brand beyond Formula 1 and showcases Red Bull’s customer‑racing program.
• The penalty reinforces that endurance‑racing technical rules apply equally to all, regardless of profile.
• Other privateer teams may tighten tyre‑tracking to avoid a similar fate.

The details:

• Qualifying: Verstappen grabbed pole by over two seconds, lost the lead briefly to Audi #16, then reclaimed it.
• Race: After a relaxed final stint, he won by 59 seconds, marking a second straight GT3 victory at the venue.
• Tyre rule: GT3 regulations allow six tyre sets for qualifying and race combined.
• Violation: The tyre‑tracking app logged seven sets used, an extra set fitted during a rapid driver‑change in qualifying.
• Penalty: Stewards applied a disqualification; team principal Christian Hohendael accepted it and cited a procedural flaw.
• No driver fault: The extra tyre was a mis‑count, not a strategic decision.

What's next:

• The team will audit tyre logistics before the GT3 season finale.
• Verstappen returns to Formula 1 for the next Grand Prix, while Red Bull’s customer‑racing arm faces tighter compliance checks.
• The incident serves as a cautionary tale for high‑profile drivers entering club‑level endurance events.