Verstappen delivers first reaction to Nordschleife disqualification drama

During last weekend’s break in the Formula 1 calendar, the Dutchman made the most of his time off by competing in NLS2 at the iconic Nordschleife. Teaming up with Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, the trio shared driving duties in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.

He brought the car home in first place, only for the result to be stripped after the team was disqualified for exceeding the maximum number of tyre sets allowed.

Asked how he reacted to the disqualification, Verstappen told media in Suzuka: “Overall, it was a great weekend. We had a really good time together with my teammates as well. Then, of course, we had a little mistake in qualifying, where we were practicing pit stops and they added another set on the car when we were doing the out-ins.

Just days before the Suzuka weekend got underway, the reigning four-time world champion hit the track at Fuji, braving relentless rain and treacherous, fully wet conditions in a Red Bull-liveried Nissan Z NISMO GT500.

Competing in Japan’s premier Super GT category, the machine is driven by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine delivering around 550 horsepower, placing it firmly among the fastest and most advanced cars in the series.

It also marks a clear step up from the GT3 car Verstappen raced at the Nürburgring earlier in the week – a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo – with the GT500 offering significantly higher levels of performance and aerodynamic grip,