The Green Hell, as the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife is often called, seemed to have crowned a new hero on September 27, 2025. Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion from the Netherlands, made his debut in the GT3 class and stormed to a convincing victory in the ninth round of the Nürburgring Long-Strecken Series (NLS). Along with his teammate Chris Lulham in an Emil Frey Racing Ferrari 296 GT3, they finished more than 24 seconds ahead of the second-place Ford Mustang of the Haupt Racing Team. Verstappen even clocked the fastest lap time of the day: 7:51.514, on a circuit with over 170 corners and 20.8 kilometers of pure chaos. It was a triumph that set the motorsport world ablaze—but not in the way the Red Bull driver had hoped.
Because behind the euphoria lurks a shadow of controversy. Shortly after the finish, the first accusations surfaced, mainly on social media. A prominent X-account, F1WDC2021, known for its fierce criticism of Verstappen since the infamous 2021 title fight, immediately fired a barrage. According to them, the Dutchman’s victory was built on sand: an illegal overtaking manoeuvre in the opening phase, in which Verstappen allegedly went outside the track limits to take the lead. “The first corner overtake was purely off-track, according to the FIA โโInternational Sporting Code (ISC) which also applies to the NLS,” the account tweeted, accompanied by videos and screenshots. The claim: Verstappen had carried too much speed, could not reach the apex and rolled on the grass, which gave him an unfair advantage. Had race control intervened, that move could have cost him the victory – a disqualification or time penalty was looming.
The debate quickly flared. Lewis Hamilton fans, still traumatized by the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, seized the opportunity to reopen old wounds. “Nobody had ever heard of the Nürburgring until Max won,” one user mocked, while others whispered of “inside information” for the F1 champion. The crux of the criticism: the race management system, responsible for flags and safety cars, allegedly deliberately slowed down the rivals. Reports of alleged delays for the Mustangs and other chasing cars—a slower safety car period or dubious full-course yellows—were circulating. “They just let him win, just like in F1,” one user bitterly retorted. The F1WDC2021 account continued: “The management ignored the rules, or didn’t define them well enough. This is negligence, or worse.”
Verstappen himself reacted laconically, as always. In a short press release after the race, he called the Green Hell “amazing” and hinted at future endurance adventures, such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2026. “Rules are rules,” he said, referring to his previous test with a detuned Porsche GT4 to obtain his license. But he didn’t comment on the overtake—typical of Max, who rarely wastes time on rumors. Team Emil Frey and the NLS organizers curtly denied any wrongdoing. “No violation, no discussion,” was the official line. Nevertheless, skepticism seeped in. Even in the F1 paddock, where Verstappen had just triumphed in Baku, rivals like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri muttered about “risks outside the premier class.” Sky F1’s Bernie Collins warned: “Motorsport is dangerous, but when you’re fighting for the title, you have to make choices.”
The facts are more nuanced. Video analysis indeed shows that Verstappen went outside the white lines in Turn 1, while the car in front of him stayed neatly inside. According to article 27.3 of the FIA โโISC – which explicitly applies to NLS events – a driver who goes off track and gains an advantage must give up position. If he fails to do so, a penalty follows. The community note on X, which refuted the F1WDC2021 post, pointed out that the NLS rules are not always one-to-one compatible with F1, but critics countered fiercely: “The ISC does apply, read the appendices!” Was it really a game-changer? The lead Verstappen took grew to 62 seconds in his stint. Without that move, he might still have won – his pace was unmatched. But the suggestion that it ‘almost cost him the win’ hangs like the sword of Damocles.
Then there’s the race management side, perhaps even more explosive. Pitside driver testimonies and onboard data suggest that a full-course yellow after an incident with a Porsche in the second hour unnecessarily delayed the Mustang of Jann Mardenborough—the British Gran Turismo hero returning after a near-fatal accident in 2015. Mardenborough finished second, but complained post-race of “wrong timing.” Was this a coincidence, or a subtle nod to the F1 star? The NLS, a series with roots in the 1970s, is known for its rough, unpredictable nature—safety cars fly like confetti. But in the Verstappen era, where every second is under scrutiny, it fuels conspiracy theories. “They slow down rivals to let the champion shine,” echoed fan forums, echoing cries from Abu Dhabi.
Yet this transcends the gossip. Verstappen’s victory is a statement: the 28-year-old Limburg native, who has already won sim races and tested Porsches, proves his versatility. “Drivers like Max reconcile you with the essence of motorsport,” tweeted journalist Piero Ladisa, and he’s right. While the McLaren duo Norris and Piastri are biting into the F1 title fight, Verstappen is exploring paths others avoid. He tamed the Nordschleife, with its flops and fog, like a veteran. Even Ferrari, his one-off car, officially congratulated him: “Helal olsun!” from Turkey, a nod to universal respect.
The criticism? It enriches the story. In a sport where rules bend under pressure, this is a reminder of the fine line between brilliant and contested. Verstappen’s fans cheer: “Mad Max dominates everything.” Opponents grumble: “Another fixed race.” The truth lies somewhere in between – a reminder that victories are rarely flawless. Next stop: the Singapore GP, where the F1 calendar awaits him. But the Green Hell has left a scar, and the debate rages on. Because in motorsport, it’s not just the fastest who wins, but also the one who survives the storm
