Luxembourg driver Dylan Pereira secured a podium finish at the Nürburgring after Max Verstappen was disqualified from a GT endurance race in which both drivers competed.
The race was initially won by the Dutch driver, but his team was later excluded for using seven sets of tyres when only six were permitted. The disqualification promoted Pereira to third place, securing an unexpected podium result.
The Nürburgring event featured several high-profile drivers, including Verstappen, who was preparing for a future appearance in the 24 Hours of the Nordschleife. Verstappen had teamed up with French driver Jules Gounon and Spain’s Dani Juncadella in a Mercedes competing in the GT3 class during the four-hour race. However, their car was disqualified following the tyre infringement.
“The disqualification hurts,” said Winward team principal Christian Hohenadel, as quoted by Motorsport.com. “Unfortunately, a mistake occurred within the team which forced race control to disqualify the winning car after the event”.
The race formed part of the NLS championship, which is held on the German Nordschleife in its full 24,358-kilometre configuration.
Verstappen had been aiming to return to winning ways following a recent retirement in the Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix and ahead of his next race in Suzuka.
The Dutch driver has struggled for form this season, with new regulations crucially altering car performance, including a 50% combustion and 50% electric engine split.
Pereira is set to meet Verstappen again in Suzuka, although not on track, as he will compete in the Porsche Cup as part of the Formula 1 support programme.
