Ralf Schumacher claims Max Verstappen received preferential treatment from Nurburgring opponents

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Max Verstappen thought he’d won the GT3 race at the Nurburgring Nordschleife last weekend, only to be disqualified. Ralf Schumacher has claimed he received a helping hand from his fellow drivers.

Verstappen set a blistering pole time in the NLS2 race and went on to win the race by over a minute, with the help of teammates Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon. However, they were then thrown out for using seven different sets of tyres – more than the maximum of six.

The Red Bull Formula 1 driver will return to the circuit for the 24 Hour race on 16 and 17 May, a week before the Canadian Grand Prix.

Ralf Schumacher highlights Max Verstappen’s blue-flag advantage in GT3 racing

Ralf Schumacher’s son, David, was also racing at the Nordschleife on Saturday. Inevitably, the presence of Verstappen transformed the profile of the event and the atmosphere in the paddock.

Speaking to F1-Insider, Schumacher relayed a ‘rumour’ that drivers paid ‘extra attention’ to blue flags when Verstappen was behind them. They were eager to dive out of the way when they saw the four-time world champion coming.

Verstappen was driving a Mercedes-AMG in Red Bull colours, which made him ‘very conspicuous’. Saturday’s race lasted four hours, split between the three drivers.

• READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli wanting to replicate Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring stint should scare F1 teams

One can understand why opponents would be particularly wary, given the reputation Verstappen possesses and the backlash they might face if they disrupt him.

“The other drivers have gotten used to him being there,” said Schumacher. “There’s a rumour going around that traffic is paying extra attention to Max.

“You always see that when the Red Bull, which is very conspicuous, pulls over. That’s obviously a big advantage, but otherwise, everyone is happy that he’s there. It gives the whole thing more attention.”

Max Verstappen didn’t act like he was famous at the Nurburgring

Verstappen was offered a private briefing in deference to his profile, but he refused. This apparently earned him the respect of his fellow competitors.

What’s more, Verstappen was praised by one of his rivals after an ‘awesome’ on-track battle. That’s exactly what the Dutchman has been missing at the start of the 2026 F1 season.

Verstappen has been the leading critic of the ‘Mario Kart’ style of racing under the new regulations. He feels the new boost and overtake modes have made battles artificial.

In addition to the Nurburgring edition, Verstappen says he would like to race in the Le Mans 24 Hours at some point. Fernando Alonso was the last active F1 driver to compete in the iconic event, taking victory in 2018.