Mercedes explains tyre error that caused Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring disqualification

Mercedes has issued an announcement on Max Verstappen’s disqualification from Saturday’s NLS2 on the Nurburgring, revealing the tyre error occurred in qualifying.

4-time System 1 world champion Max Verstappen made his second GT3 look on the Nurburgring this weekend, following a successful debut within the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) final 12 months in a Ferrari.

As a part of a push to make sure Verstappen makes his debut within the Nurburgring 24 Hours, NLS organisers, prompted by Mercedes and Toto Wolff, altered its schedule across the F1 calendar.

This allowed Verstappen to enter NLS2 this weekend in a Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 automotive alongside skilled sportscar drivers Joules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella.

Qualifying on pole for Saturday’s four-hour race, Verstappen led throughout the primary stint earlier than handing the automotive over to his team-mates.

The Dutchman jumped again into the automotive for the ultimate stint, with Verstappen attending to the chequered flag virtually a minute away from the sector for a second victory within the NLS and his first in a Mercedes.

Nonetheless, hours later, the No.3 entry was disqualified from the consequence on account of a tyre error, after it was discovered to have used seven units as an alternative of the six permitted by the principles.

Mercedes opens up on “disappointment” of Verstappen disqualification

In an official assertion from Mercedes’ head of buyer racing, Stefan Wendl, he clarified that the tyre error occurred in qualifying.

“A blended begin to the 2026 Nurburgring season: we crossed the end line first, however had been subsequently disqualified,” he mentioned.

“Throughout routine checks by the technical fee, it was discovered that the crew used seven units of tyres on race day as an alternative of the permitted six.

“The error occurred throughout qualifying, when a number of driver and tyre adjustments had been practised.

“An NLS weekend we received’t overlook anytime quickly: nice racing, unimaginable ambiance, and initially the enjoyment of victory.

“The frustration is all of the higher as a behind-the-scenes mistake led to the disqualification, which hurts.

“On the Nordschleife, the whole lot should come collectively. Now we give attention to analysing, studying, and getting ready for the upcoming races and the 24-hour spotlight.”

The 24 Hours of the Nurburgring is scheduled for the weekend of 16-17 Could previous to the F1 Canadian Grand Prix.

Because of the battle within the Center East cancelling the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, Verstappen says he’s now evaluating an outing in NLS3 on 11 April.