Following a formal request from Mercedes, the Nuerburgring Langstrecken-Serie has moved its second race of the season back by one week to slide into an F1 offweek. This change gives four-time champion Max Verstappen the opportunity to participate in another race.
The move is aimed at leveraging the gap between Formula 1's Chinese and Japanese Grand Prix, allowing top-tier drivers like Verstappen to compete in the NLS series. By aligning with the international racing schedule, the NLS aims to increase its global reach, benefiting all teams, participants, and the Nurburgring region.
The new date for the second race has been set at March 21st, which falls between the Chinese Grand Prix and Japanese Grand Prix. This adjustment enables Verstappen to fulfill his requirement of racing one NLS date at the start of the season, allowing him to participate in this summer's 24 Hours of Nurburgring.
Mercedes and Red Bull have both approved Verstappen's participation, with Mercedes making a formal request last week. The only obstacle was that all early dates fell on F1 weekends, but the NLS has managed to find an alternative solution.
The new date for the second race allows Verstappen to compete in between the Chinese and Japanese Grand Prix, giving him a better opportunity to participate in the NLS series. This move is expected to benefit the NLS and its participants, as it increases their global reach and provides more opportunities for top-tier drivers like Verstappen.
This change demonstrates the NLS's willingness to adapt and work with other racing series to attract top talent. By aligning with the F1 calendar, the NLS can tap into its existing fanbase and increase its global reach.
