The 65th ADAC ACAS Cup, the seventh round of the NLS series, is poised to gain significant attention as reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen prepares to participate. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the Nurburgring endurance series and Verstappen’s involvement.
What is the NLS?
NLS stands for Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie, a long-distance championship exclusively held on the iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife, featuring a layout of 24.358 km that merges the Nordschleife and the shorter sprint configuration of the Nurburgring.
The current season comprises 10 races across eight weekends, including two qualifying events for the standalone Nurburgring 24 Hours in June.
This weekend marks a doubleheader with round seven, the 65th ADAC ACAS Cup, and round eight, the 64th ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen. Like most NLS events, both races span four hours and involve teams of two, three, or four drivers.
Which car and class will Max Verstappen drive?
The NLS showcases a variety of classes, from high-performance GT3 vehicles seen in major sports car series to touring and production cars, many of which are further categorized by engine displacement.
While Verstappen is not yet listed in the provisional entries, he is anticipated to compete for the Lionspeed GP team, driving a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS in the SP7 class. He may alternate between the #89 Cayman in SP7 and the #980 Cayman in Cup 3.
The SP7 class, which is predominantly made up of GT4 cars with engines ranging from 3.5l to 4.0l, ranks second behind the leading SP9 class for GT3 vehicles. Therefore, Verstappen is realistically aiming for class victories rather than overall wins.
What are Max Verstappen’s goals in the NLS, and can he win on debut?
During a test session in May, Verstappen took to the Nordschleife track under the alias Franz Hermann and reportedly set an unofficial GT3 lap record, igniting discussions about his car’s specifications.
However, this upcoming weekend doesn’t allow for pursuits of lap records or class victories, as Verstappen lacks the required Permit A, which restricts his car’s performance.
In its standard configuration, the Porsche Cayman GT4 produces 425 horsepower at a weight of 1,315 kg, resulting in a 3.1 kg/hp power-to-weight ratio, falling short of the 4.2 kg/hp minimum for first-time participants. Consequently, the car must be detuned, irrespective of the driver’s prior achievements.
How does Verstappen aim to earn his NLS permit?
To earn the DMSB Permit Nordschleife, commonly referred to as the “Nordschleife licence,” Verstappen needs to secure two classified race results, which he can achieve by racing in both Lionspeed’s Caymans. He must complete 14 laps and cover at least 20% of the race distance in each vehicle.
Typically, the Caymans can complete around 25 to 26 laps in a four-hour race, allowing Verstappen to meet the requirements with two stint of seven laps each.
The permit system, launched in 2015, faces criticism for being an unnecessary barrier and a revenue generator for organizers, while supporters argue that it enhances race safety and driver experience.
Where to watch Max Verstappen race in the NLS series?
All NLS series rounds, including the 65th ADAC ACAS Cup and the following race, will be streamed live for free on Motorsport.tv.
The livestream for both days begins at 8:15 local CEST for qualifying, with the race broadcasts starting at 11:15 local time, leading up to the race start at 12:00 PM.
