Max Verstappen team branded 'beginners' after shock disqualification

Ralf Schumacher has branded Max Verstappen's Winward Racing as "beginners" following their disqualification from victory at the Nurburgring. 

Team Verstappen was being run by Winward Racing in a Mercedes GT3 last weekend, with Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon combining with Verstappen to cross the line on the road first.

However, hours later, it emerged that the team had used seven sets of tyres in the race, with only six permitted by the regulations. 

This led to an instant disqualification, a mistake which irked former F1 driver Schumacher. 

"It was a huge beginner's mistake, a mistake by the team," Schumacher told the Backstage Boxengasse podcast.

"I know the team; my son (David) also drove for it. I am also familiar with the team manager.

"I was not surprised that this happened. In the past, a lot of things happened there. They don't take it so seriously and seem to have other priorities than focusing on the essentials, so it doesn't surprise me at all.

"If Max Verstappen participates, you check everything two or even three times, and then you manage to count a set of tyres incorrectly or make a wrong choice. 

"It's just as bad as that time when Ferrari was ready for a three-tire pit stop. There is little else to say about that. Six sets of tyres, six. That must be clear."