Max Verstappen Nordschleife victory triggers major change

Max Verstappen's stunning Nordschleife debut has sparked a major change, with the German motorsport federation now allowing sim racing to count towards official circuit permits for the first time in international motorsport.

The four-time world champion's mature performance in September, where he sealed a win in a GT3 car alongside Chris Lullham, has convinced the VLN organisation that virtual preparation holds genuine value.

Drivers seeking the crucial DPN B permit can now choose from three pathways: completing the standard course, finishing two RCN races with a driver change (or one solo), or combining one RCN race with three penalty-free Digital Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (DNLS) winter rounds.

"Since the launch of the DNLS in 2020, we have known that sim racing is far more than casual entertainment. It reproduces reality in a highly accurate way," said VLN sporting director Christian Vormann. 

"Verstappen's participation showed how crucial virtual preparation can be, especially on the demanding Nordschleife. His secret is sim racing."

The Red Bull driver had completed countless iRacing laps at the Green Hell, including DNLS events, before his successful real-world debut alongside Chris Lulham in an Emil Frey Ferrari 296 GT3.

Robin Strycek, DMSB coordinator for sport, emphasised the significance: "The new Permit B regulations reinforce the connection between real and digital motorsport further."

This unprecedented recognition of virtual racing as legitimate motorsport training represents a monumental moment, reflecting how seriously German motorsport authorities now view sim racing, having officially recognised it as a motorsport discipline in 2018.

Verstappen has since outlined his desire to race in the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring in the future.