Sim racing to be counted for Nordschleife licence

Germany's motorsport federation is changing access regulations for the DMSB Permit Nordschleife (DPN) and, for the first time, takes sim racing into account after Max Verstappen’s incredible performance in September.

For the DPN level B, candidates will now be able to count participation in official sim racing competitions of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). This adjustment applies exclusively to Permit B.

For Permit A, which allows competing in faster cars including the SP9 GT3 class, the requirements are also being eased: instead of two results and 14 race laps, one result and eight laps in a Permit-B car will be sufficient in the future. Minimum driving time criterion (at least 20% of total race time) has been removed entirely.

This marks a notable reduction in entry requirements compared to the 2010s, when drivers were required to produce two results within a specific percentile and complete 18 laps.While improving safety on track, the DPN requirements sometimes left drivers in a waiting loop which forced teams to make driver changes for the 24-hour race.

One of the most prominent critics of the system was Valentino Rossi. The MotoGP legend said at the World Endurance Championship finale in Bahrain that he wants to take part in the Nurburgring 24 Hours when the circumstances are right.

“Yes, it's in the plan, I like to make the Nurburgring, but for racing the Nurburgring you have to get the permit by doing other races, so I don't know if I will have the time next year," he told Motorsport.com.

Sim racing only one option for Permit B

Team Redline and R8G Esports win 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual

The most significant and arguably most striking change concerns the DPN B with an International D circuit licence or higher, as drivers can now count participation in virtual races toward the permit.

Finishing three of the four rounds of the Digital Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (DNLS) in winter - provided they are completed without penalties – can now be used as a partial replacement for starting in an RCN race, the second league below the NLS.

Sim racing remains an optional third route toward permit B, as the previous pathways still remain. The options are now:

Completing the standard DPN B course, as Max Verstappen did ahead of his start at NLS7

Completing two RCN races with a driver change, or one as a solo driver

New: One RCN race with a driver change combined with three penalty-free DNLS races

Drivers holding a National A licence are excluded from the new option. They will still need three classified RCN races to obtain Permit B.

Max Verstappen’s influence

#31 Emil Fray Racing Ferrari 296 GT3: Max Verstappen

Photo by: Jan Brucke/VLN

A key factor in this decision was Verstappen’s standout performance at NLS9 in an Emil Frey Ferrari 296 GT3. Verstappen, who had no real-world experience in multi-class racing, showed incredible maturity in traffic thanks to his extensive participation in multi-class sim racing.

"Since the launch of the DNLS in 2020, we have known that sim racing is far more than casual entertainment. It reproduces reality in a highly accurate way," said VLN sporting director Christian Vormann, who was part in both real NLS race control and the DNLS race direction.

"More recently, Verstappen’s participation in an NLS race showed how crucial virtual preparation can be, especially on the demanding Nordschleife. His secret is sim racing. Verstappen has completed countless laps on iRacing in the Green Hell, including DNLS events. It was no surprise that he immediately felt comfortable."

Robin Strycek, DMSB coordinator for sport, added: "Alongside the NLS organisation, Porsche is represented through the PEETN, and marshals and officials from real-world NLS and the motorsport scene are active participants. Combined with strong media coverage, this creates a unique link between real and digital motorsport. The new Permit B regulations reinforce this connection further."

The decision to include sim racing – at least partially – as a recognised pathway towards an official licence reflects how seriously the German ASN takes virtual motorsport. Back in October 2018, the ASN made headlines by recognising sim racing as an official motorsport discipline.

Allowing DNLS participation to count toward licence qualification is unprecedented in international motorsport. The FIA will certainly observe the developments closely. Meeting licence criteria through sim racing, even partially, might become a relevant model for the future.

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team