NURBURG, Germany: Max Verstappen is set to race at the iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife after acquiring the required license on Friday.
With the Formula 1 circuit off this weekend, Red Bull cleared the four-time world champion to make his debut in the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). Arguably the world’s top race car driver, Verstappen still had to undergo a course and take a theory exam to drive in the seventh round of the 10-race NLS.
After completing both, Verstappen is scheduled to compete in a four-hour race on Saturday, driving a Porsche GT4 Cayman in the Verstappen.com Racing x Red Bull livery.
Verstappen, 27, will be joined by Chris Lulham, a 22-year-old British driver who is competing in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance for Verstappen.com Racing.
Verstappen set an unofficial lap record during a test run in a Ferrari 296 GT3 for the Swiss Emil Frey Racing team on the Nordschleife track in May. However, he does not yet have the required special racing license called the DMSB (Deutscher Motor Sport Bund) Permit Nordschleife to officially compete in the GT3 class on the track.
To obtain a “Permit A,” Verstappen needs to collect two classified race results by completing 14 laps and completing at least 20 percent of a race. Both results can come in a single race, which is why he could spend time in multiple cars this weekend.
The system was implemented in 2015 with the goal of requiring drivers of all levels to experience the Nordschleife, referred to as “Green Hell,” in slower cars before moving up.
Verstappen said he is pursuing his Permit A in order to compete in the GT3 class in the future. He has previously stated his desire to compete in Nurburgring’s annual 24-hour race among other endurance races at iconic circuits around the world.
“Racing is not just my profession, but also my hobby,” Verstappen said on his official website. “This weekend I am at the Nordschleife with the goal to qualify for the mandatory race permit needed to race here in a GT3 car, which I would love.
“The Nordschleife is at the top of my list of tracks I want to race on, as it’s extremely challenging and demanding, with its enormous length and tight historic layout. I can’t wait!“
Max Verstappen set to race at iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife
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Max Verstappen set to race at iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife
- Red Bull cleared the four-time world champion to make his debut in the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie
- Verstappen, 27, will be joined by Chris Lulham, a 22-year-old British driver
Ravaglia heroics lead Bologna to Italian Super Cup final in Riyadh
- Despite falling behind early, Bologna equalized in the 34th minute before prevailing on penalties
RIYADH: It was a night of shared football culture in Riyadh as Inter Milan and Bologna met in the second 2025/26 Italian Super Cup semi-final. The travelling Inter support brought their drums, colour and constant noise, blending with Saudi Inter fans to create a lively atmosphere inside the stadium.
The match began at a blistering pace, with Inter taking the lead less than two minutes after kick-off. Marcus Thuram powered home from close range after meeting an accurate cross from Alessandro Bastoni to score the opening goal of the night.
Inter immediately searched for a second, with Ange-Yoan Bonny going close in the fourth minute, feinting past Torbjorn Heggem before dragging his effort just wide of the post.
After Inter’s early barrage, Bologna began to grow into the contest, with Jens Odgaard leading much of the offence. Goalkeeper Josep Martinez was called into action to preserve Inter’s advantage.
The energy among Inter supporters continued to build, with fans jumping in unison and lifting their scarves as they urged their side forward in search of a second goal.
That momentum was checked in the 34th minute, when a VAR review resulted in a penalty for Bologna. Riccardo Orsolini slotted the spot-kick coolly past Martinez to bring I Rossoblu back level.
Inter pushed forward after the break as the game opened up, but there was no getting past Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia, who made four saves in the second half alone.
Hope briefly returned for the Nerazzurri when Bonny was brought down in the box in the 56th minute, only for the initial appeal for a penalty to be overturned following consultation with VAR.
Less than 10 minutes later, the stadium rose to welcome Lautaro Martinez. Brought on alongside Andy Diouf and Davide Frattesi in a triple substitution, Lautaro made an immediate impact but was unable to find the decisive goal before the end of regular time.
Bologna came within moments of snatching a winner in injury time, but goalkeeper Martinez reacted sharply to make a crucial save, sending the semi-final into a penalty shootout.
The shootout began evenly, with both sides converting their penalties before goalkeepers intervened at either end. Nicolo Barella then fired over the crossbar, only for Juan Miranda to mirror the miss moments later.
Inter’s struggles from the spot continued as Ravaglia made his second save of the shootout, before Jonathan Rowe gave Bologna the advantage. Stefan de Vrij converted to extend the contest, but Ciro Immobile struck decisively to send Bologna through.
The Rossoblu will now face Napoli in the Italian Super Cup final at Al-Awwal Park on December 22, after the Serie A champions defeated AC Milan 2-0 in the first semi-final.
