Max Verstappen’s disqualification at the Nurburgring changes the podium of the 58th ADAC Barbarossapreis

The Winward Racing team suffered a significant setback this Saturday, March 21, 2026, after the confirmation of the disqualification of the car driven by Max Verstappen, Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella. The trio had crossed the finish line first in the 58th ADAC Barbarossapreis, held on the iconic Nurburgring circuit, at Alemanha. The technical commissioners’ decision was announced after detecting a direct violation of the competition’s sporting regulations.

The technical incident was identified during the routine post-race inspection, carried out using the Tyre-App system, which monitors the use of compounds during races. According to the organization’s official report, the Mercedes-AMG team used seven sets of tires throughout race day, exceeding the maximum allowable limit of six sets per vehicle. Como the rule does not provide a margin of tolerance for this type of infraction, the disqualification was immediate and mandatory by the race direction.

• Max Verstappen, Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella lose the dominant triumph.
• The error was admitted by Winward Racing as an internal resource management failure.
• The official stage victory was transferred to the Rowe-BMW team.
• The final podium underwent drastic changes in all prominent positions.

Operational failure compromises debut of Mercedes-AMG Performance

The participation of Winward Racing in Nurburgring carried great expectations as it marked the first performance as the Mercedes-AMG Performance team on the challenging Nordschleife track. Performance on the track was considered impeccable, with Verstappen demonstrating the adaptability necessary to master the technical and demanding track. Contudo, the logistical error in counting the tires nullified all the technical and physical effort of the pilots and mechanics involved in the operation.

Christian Hohenadel, team boss, publicly took responsibility for the mistake that cost his drivers the trophy. Ele highlighted that the disqualification is a heavy blow for the group, especially due to the avoidable nature of the error made during the pit stops. Hohenadel apologized to fans and partners, reinforcing that the team will now focus on a thorough analysis to prevent such failures from occurring in the next stages of the calendar.

Restructuring of official results and new podium in the NSL

With the departure of Mercedes-AMG car #4 from the classification list, drivers Dan Harper and Jordan Pepper were declared the new winners of the race. The pair, who compete with the #99 BMW M4 GT3 from the Rowe-BMW team, had originally finished in second place and now inherit the maximum points of the stage. The change directly benefits BMW in the dispute between the manufacturers that traditionally dominate endurance races on the German circuit.

Second place in the general classification was now occupied by the Porsche 911 GT3 R #44 from the Falken team, driven by Sven Müller and Heinemann. Já third place on the overall podium was inherited by Porsche #48 from Black Falcon, driven by the trio Assenheimer, Tobias Müller and Pereira. The Este result was particularly celebrated by the Black Falcon, as the car had already secured victory in the Pro-Am category even before the general classification was revised.

• Dan Harper and Jordan Pepper take first place in the 58th ADAC Barbarossapreis.
• Sven Müller and Heinemann move up to official second place.
• Black Falcon achieves overall podium in SP9 class debut in Nurburgring.
• Championship points are redistributed according to the new finishing order.

Preparation for the 24 Horas of Nurburgring from a new perspective

The disqualification comes at a critical moment in the season, serving as a warning for Winward Racing before the main event of the year on the circuit. The 24 Horas of Nurburgring require impeccable logistical coordination, and this weekend’s error will force the team to review all of its component control protocols. Team management stated that the full focus is now on meticulous preparation to ensure that the performance seen on track is not again wasted by behind-the-scenes errors.

Experts in endurance motorsport point out that the technical rigor in Nurburgring is one of the highest in the world, aiming to maintain competitive parity between the different brands. Using the Tyre-App is an essential tool to ensure that no team gains an unfair advantage through excessive tire changes. Para Verstappen and his teammates will have the consolation of the superior technical performance demonstrated, as the team works to regain the confidence of investors and fans in the upcoming endurance races.

Analysis of the technical and regulatory impact on endurance competitions

The tire limitation rule is essential to control costs and ensure the sustainability of long-term competitions on circuits such as Nordschleife. By using an extra set, the team theoretically has fresher rubber at crucial moments, which generates a disproportionate lap time advantage over opponents who comply with the regulations. The precision of the Tyre-App system makes any attempt to hide such movements impossible, making the inspection process transparent and indisputable for all participants.

The episode serves as an example for other teams that operate in multiple categories simultaneously, where the specific rules for each event may vary slightly. Winward Racing reiterated that full concentration will be applied to data analysis for the next windows of official tests and competitions. The objective is to transform the frustration of losing the title into motivation for the next 24 Horas of Nurburgring, where control of resources will be even more complex and vital to the success of the operation.