Sim racing is now regarded as a legitimate pathway to gain a Nordschleife racing license, with officials citing Verstappen’s sim racing exploits as a key factor behind the change.

This follows Verstappen’s recent win in the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). He had no prior real life GT racing experience, relying only on what he learned sim racing online.

VLN sporting director Christian Vormann described Verstappen’s sim racing preparation as ‘crucial’ and outlined that it was ‘no surprise that he immediately felt comfortable’.

The German motorsport federation is changing the rules for the DMSB Nordschleife Permit, which now also allows sim racers to participate.

To obtain a level B license, it is now sufficient to have participated in a number of sim racing events in the (NLS).

However, this change only applies to Permit B and not to the more elite Permit A, meaning sim racing is still not sufficient to qualify to drive the fastest cars.

Verstappen’s teammate during his GT racing was Chris Lulham, a driver whose experience had largely been gained in the sim.

The Briton held his own alongside Verstappen, resulting in victory in their first GT race in the premier category at the German track.

Max Verstappen has regularly been the catalyst for rule changes in Formula One.

Perhaps the best known example is the Formula 1 super license changes which Verstappen inspired.

Verstappen received his super license at the age of seventeen, but almost immediately afterwards the FIA ​​decided that drivers had to be eighteen to be eligible for the super license.

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