Verstappen disqualified
Max Verstappen — initially declared winner in Melbourne — was disqualified post‑race, a decision that sent shockwaves through the F1 paddock and reshuffled championship implications (youtube.com). Fans and data accounts were already debating his dominance across cars after his recent sim/event wins, making the DQ an unexpectedly large story for team strategy and points this season (x.com).
Max Verstappen’s on-track victory at the Nürburgring NLS2 on March 21, 2026 was voided after post‑race scrutineering found a tyre allocation breach and the #3 Winward/Team Verstappen Mercedes‑AMG GT3 was formally excluded from the classification. (motorsport.com) Officials determined the entry used 28 individual tyres during the four‑hour race — the equivalent of seven sets — exceeding the NLS maximum allowance of 24 tyres (six sets). (pitdebrief.com) The excluded car was the #3 Mercedes‑AMG shared by Max Verstappen, Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella, which had crossed the line roughly 59 seconds ahead on track before the post‑race exclusion was applied. (gpfans.com) Winward Racing (Team Verstappen Racing’s operator) publicly apologised and described the situation as an internal mistake during tyre procedures, with team management saying they would analyse processes ahead of the Nürburgring 24‑hour event. (english.mathrubhumi.com) As a result of the exclusion, ROWE Racing’s BMW crew were promoted to the NLS2 victory and finishing cars were moved up the classification, with official results revised by the NLS organisers. (racingnewstoday.com) The ruling applies to the ADAC Nürburgring Langstrecken‑Serie (NLS) championship and race records for that event and does not change any FIA Formula 1 race results or World Championship points. (motorsport.com)
