06.11.2026
We took a look at the construction of the Südschleife – starting from the Scharfer Kopf, we followed the concrete-paved back straight behind the future start and finish line, past the grandstand bend. This was built where the T13 area is located today. We then continued straight on to the Nordschleife, which has been world-famous for 100 years. This led from the highest point of the circuit over hills and through valleys to the lowest point in the Breidscheid district of Adenau; from there, it continued across a long valley basin to the Hohe Acht and later, via numerous bends and the Döttinger Höhe, back towards Nürburg. The first section of the Nordschleife was named after a stream running alongside the track and is still known as Hatzenbach today. Unlike today, this treacherous series of twists and turns was surrounded by dense fir forest at the time. For the workers, this section of the track posed a major challenge 100 years ago: The subsoil consisted of marshy, water-impermeable ground, which had to be laboriously removed and replaced with rubble. At the end of the winding section, large trees first had to be felled, which in turn gave the section its name: Hocheichen. ℹ️ The Nürburgring opened in 1927. As part of #Roadto100, we’ll be looking back from time to time at various milestones in our long history in the run-up to our big anniversary year!
06.11.2026
From his very first assignments on the Südschleife to overseeing 100 temporary staff: Karl “Charly” Mönig has been part of the Nürburgring for over six decades. He has witnessed Formula 1 races, followed the development of the Grand Prix circuit and ensured everything ran smoothly behind the scenes at more than 650 events. After 62 years of service to the racecourse, the Müllenbach native has now been bid farewell as he enters his well-deserved retirement. An extraordinary story full of memories, little anecdotes and a very special bond with the Nürburgring. When Karl Mönig began working at the Nürburgring in 1965, the world of the circuit was a very different place. The current Grand Prix circuit did not yet exist; Formula 1 was still racing on the Nordschleife, and on the Südschleife, improvised solutions were part and parcel of everyday life at events. Right in the thick of it: a 14-year-old boy from Müllenbach who checked tickets, helped out with car park duties and even used the family’s tractor to pull vehicles out of the wet meadows surrounding the circuit. “I didn’t have a driving licence yet, but my section manager at the time wasn’t very good at driving a tractor,” recalls Mönig. What began back then as a first bit of extra work developed into an extraordinary connection. For over 62 years, Karl Mönig remained loyal to the Nürburgring – alongside his actual career and across many generations of colleagues, visitors and organisers. From car park attendant to manager of 100 staffAfter his first assignments on the Südschleife, Mönig initially worked in the car park service around the start and finish lines. From 1971, he worked as a night watchman in the Hocheichen section of the Nordschleife. There, he sold race programmes as well as admission, parking and camping tickets. At major racing events such as Formula 1 or the 1,000-kilometre race, there was sometimes a shortage of staff for race day. Then the night shift would simply turn into a 20-hour shift. His Nürburgring story took a decisive turn in January 1980 – at the Gilles inn in Müllenbach. There, the section manager at the time asked him if he would like to take over his role. Mönig initially declined. The responsibility seemed too great to him. Two weeks later, they met again at the inn. “After a few beers, I ended up agreeing,” recalls Mönig. However, his doubts returned the next morning: “I’ll just give it a go; after three races, they’ll surely kick me out again,” were his thoughts at the time. Things turned out differently. What were supposed to be three races turned into 47 years as section manager. Initially, Mönig was responsible for the car parks around what was then known as the “Betonschleife”. Following the opening of the new Grand Prix circuit in 1984, he took charge of car park zone C, which he managed for decades during major events. His work went far beyond simply directing vehicles. Staff planning began for him weeks before an event. Staff had to be allocated, parking and camping passes prepared, and procedures organised. After the events, there were accounts to settle, timesheets to complete and reports to write. At major events, he co-ordinated up to 100 temporary staff. The young volunteer who once kept order on the Südschleife had long since become a fixture in the world of event management. Over 650 events and plenty of storiesThe figures from his career at the Nürburgring are impressive: since 1980, Karl Mönig has worked as a car park manager at more than 650 events. Added to this are numerous other assignments from previous years. He witnessed Formula 1 at the Nürburgring over the course of decades, attended every 24-hour race since 1980, and was involved with Rock am Ring and the International ADAC Truck Grand Prix right from the start. And, of course, someone who has been around for so long has not only experienced a great deal, but has also contributed the odd idea of his own. Take 1986, for example, when Mönig found the official names of the access roads to car park zone C simply too cumbersome. “So, on my own initiative, I renamed the access roads to the C zone as entrances 1 to 5,” he reports. Later, the numbering system was also extended to other areas of the Nürburgring. He also remembers the inaugural Rock am Ring festival in 1985. Back then, his team was tasked with preventing visitors from camping in the C-zone car parks. It worked at first – until tents suddenly appeared in car park C2 after all. The reason was quickly discovered: the neighbouring campsite was full, and its operator had simply opened the fence to let more guests onto the adjacent area. It is stories like these that show just how much the Nürburgring has changed over six decades. From improvised procedures and simple torches during night-time car park operations to today’s professional event management. Karl Mönig has not only witnessed this development but has also actively helped shape it over many years. A special connection to the NürburgringWhat makes Karl Mönig’s story so special is not just the many events and decades involved. It is the matter-of-fact way in which he took on responsibility at the Nürburgring for such a long time and, together with his staff, ensured that everything ran smoothly behind the scenes. After all, the success of a major event depends not only on those who are on the racetrack, on stage or in the spotlight. It is also the many people behind the scenes who make the whole operation possible in the first place. People like Karl Mönig. His departure now marks the end of an extraordinary career spanning almost an entire lifetime. Nürburgring CEO Ingo Böder thanked Karl ‘Charly’ Mönig for 62 years of dedication, reliability and loyalty to the circuit. And even though the Nürburgring will have to manage without its long-serving car park manager in future, the many stories from more than six decades will remain. As will the marks Charly has left behind – sometimes even in a very practical way, in the form of numbered entry points. Become part of Nürburgring history tooEven today, the Nürburgring offers numerous opportunities to become part of the team – whether through an apprenticeship, a temporary role or a permanent position in various areas of the organisation. Full details of current job vacancies, apprenticeship places and temporary roles can be found here.
03.11.2026
A symbolic groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, 30 October 2026, marked the official start of construction on the new Johanniter air rescue station at the Nürburgring. Johanniter is investing in a modern operational facility featuring a helicopter hangar as well as working and accommodation areas for the crews. The project also includes a new landing pad designed to accommodate take-offs and landings both during the day and at night. Completion is scheduled for spring 2027. The new building builds on the long-standing partnership with the Nürburgring, the continuation of which was contractually secured for a further 30 years in June 2024. The Johanniter Luftrettung has been based at the Nürburgring for more than ten years and is now an integral part of its medical infrastructure. Working closely with the Nürburgring Medical Center and other emergency services organisations, it helps ensure medical cover for daily circuit operations and the many major events held at the venue. At the same time, the Nürburgring has developed into an important medical hub for the entire region, thanks to its air rescue service and Medical Center. The air rescue service based here supplements existing emergency response structures, particularly when other emergency resources are already deployed or operating at full capacity. This makes an important contribution to emergency medical care well beyond the Eifel region, especially in rural areas with long distances and extended journey times. At the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, representatives of the Nürburgring, Johanniter Luftrettung and the region highlighted the importance of the location and the opportunities the new building will create for the future, each from their own perspective: Ingo Böder, CEO Nürburgring 1927 GmbH & Co. KG“Safety is one of the fundamental requirements for operating the Nürburgring in all its many forms. Whether during international motorsport events, major festivals or day-to-day operations, we need a high-performing medical infrastructure and partners we can rely on at all times. Our cooperation with Johanniter is therefore not only essential, but something we actively want. Together with the Nürburgring Medical Center and other emergency services organisations, we have built up a medical infrastructure here over many years that extends far beyond providing medical cover for our events. The Nürburgring therefore also plays an important role in the medical care of the entire region. We are very pleased that Johanniter is making a long-term commitment to this location. We have supported this development from the very beginning and will continue to work closely with the team throughout the construction of the new facility.” Frank Zabell, Member of the Management Board of Johanniter Luftrettung“When we extended our cooperation with the Nürburgring by a further 30 years two years ago, we jointly established a long-term perspective for the future. Investing in a new air rescue station at the heart of this race track is the logical next step. With a modern operational facility, a permanent helicopter hangar and contemporary working and accommodation areas, we are investing in infrastructure that meets the demands of air rescue operations. For us, this is also an expression of appreciation for our medical and flight crews, who take on great responsibility here every day and do outstanding work. The new landing pad, designed to accommodate take-offs and landings both during the day and at night, also opens up important opportunities for the further development of this location. We are firmly rooted in the region and look forward to continuing to develop this site together with our partners.” Horst Gies, First Deputy District Administrator of Ahrweiler District“Emergency medical care must also work reliably in areas where distances are long and the nearest hospitals are far away. This is why air rescue is such an important part of the medical infrastructure, particularly in the Eifel and the neighbouring low mountain ranges. From the Nürburgring, the operational area extends as far as the Westerwald, Hunsrück and Taunus regions. Medical assistance does not stop at district or state borders. This gives the location significance that extends far beyond Ahrweiler District. Johanniter’s long-term investment here strengthens an infrastructure that people across a large part of our region can rely on.” Guido Nisius, Mayor of the Adenau Association of Municipalities“The closure of the hospital in Adenau around two and a half years ago once again made it very clear to us just how challenging medical care in rural areas has become. The distances to the nearest hospitals are considerable. When an ambulance or emergency doctor has to travel for an extended period, those emergency resources are tied up accordingly. In situations like these, air rescue is an enormously important addition to the existing services. Together with the Nürburgring Medical Center, a medical infrastructure has been established here that is invaluable to our Association of Municipalities. That is why I am very grateful to Johanniter for operating this station for more than ten years and for sending a clear signal about its future with the construction of the new facility.”
25.10.2026
On Sunday, thousands of families were not deterred by the changeable Eifel weather from visiting the Nürburgring for the fourth Family Day. The event remained as popular as ever: as in previous years, the Ring was transformed into a lively meeting place for families. The covered ring°boulevard was bustling with activity all day long, whilst the numerous other attractions around the race track were also in high demand. Whether it was stage shows, hands-on motorsport, bowling, eSports or family activities: the Nürburgring demonstrated once again that it is far more than just a race track and remains a popular day-out destination for the whole family, even outside major motorsport events. A mix of rain and sunshine, coupled with autumnal temperatures and wind – the typical Eifel weather did nothing to dampen the good atmosphere at this year’s Nürburgring Family Day. Among the numerous hands-on stations and in front of the main event stage, the diverse activities and shows created a lively atmosphere in and around the ring°boulevard. Everywhere, people were playing, marvelling, trying things out and laughing together. The weather-proof activities in particular proved to be a major advantage on this Sunday. Whilst the ring°boulevard, with its numerous hands-on stands and stage programme, formed the centrepiece of the Family Day, the other indoor attractions were also in high demand. The new ring°bowling centre was fully booked throughout the day, as was the ring°kart track – powered by WiSOLAR. The Nürburgring eSports Bar and the ring°cinema also offered families a variety of entertainment, regardless of the weather. The restaurants LUCIA – POLLO ITALIANO and Bitburger Gasthaus in the ring°carré invited visitors to linger and enjoy a bite to eat or a drink in between activities. For Nürburgring Managing Director Christian Stephani, the huge turnout underlines the destination’s special appeal: “It really is something special how many people our Family Day attracts every year – and that’s without any major motorsport event taking place. The huge turnout shows just how attractive the Nürburgring is thanks to our diverse range of activities for families. Together with our strong partners, we create a special experience here every year. It’s simply brilliant to see how our visitors transform the ring°boulevard into a huge children’s party.” “It’s always something very special because the atmosphere is simply brilliant”On the ring°boulevard, the Family Day – supported by RPR1 and the Rhein-Zeitung – once again lived up to its name. On the event stage presented by VR Bank RheinAhrEifel, football artist Jannik Freestyle, children’s singer-songwriter Uwe Reetz and magicians Roy and Dominik thrilled the crowds. RPR1 provided commentary on the varied stage programme with presenter Ralf Schwoll. The numerous mascots surrounding the Nürburgring-Fuchs Legend were also popular photo opportunities.Away from the stage, young visitors were able, amongst other things, to take a seat in a real Formula 4 racing car, carry out experiments at the Junior Uni Daun, or put their skills to the test at the numerous games and sports stations. The fire brigade, police, ambulance service and Lenz breakdown service showcased their emergency vehicles, whilst the motorbike trial demonstrations by the AAC Bad Neuenahr provided extra excitement. Nadine Königs from the Rhein-Zeitung was also full of praise: “Family Day is always something very special because the atmosphere is simply brilliant. There are so many different opportunities here for families to enjoy experiences together and take part in a wide variety of activities”. Family fun whatever the weatherThe fact that visitors weren’t put off by rain or wind was also evident from the outdoor activities on offer. In car park A10 next to the ring°carré, motorsport fans of all ages were able to get behind the wheel themselves at the MSC Adenau kart slalom. The activity proved just as popular in sunshine as it did in the rain. The BMW M Power Grandstand, which was open free of charge, also attracted visitors, who were able to enjoy views of the Grand Prix circuit and the Classic Car Festival taking place at the same time. The mix of covered experience zones and additional outdoor activities made the Family Day a varied day out, even in changeable weather. At the same time, it highlighted just how diverse the options at the Nürburgring are – from real-life motorsport and virtual racing to bowling, cinema and dining. Strong partners and a special thank youRPR1 presenter Ralf Schwoll highlighted not only the special atmosphere but also the collaboration: “It’s impressive just how extensive the Nürburgring’s network is and how many different partners are involved here. Family Day is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Nürburgring in all its diversity and, at the same time, to thank people for a great season.” Marina Koch-Fiedelak from Junior Uni Daun confirmed that Family Day is also a special event for the participating exhibitors: “This is the second time we’ve taken part in Family Day at the Nürburgring. For us, it’s a great opportunity to reach a wide audience and connect with lots of families and children who are interested in what Junior Uni has to offer.” Following an eventful Sunday with thousands of visitors and numerous delighted families, one thing is already certain: the Nürburgring Family Day is set to take place again next year.
22.10.2026
Advance ticket sales for the 54th BELMOT Classic Car Grand Prix have begun. From 13 to 15 August 2027, the Nürburgring will be transformed into a rolling motorsport museum for the ‘Classic for Classics’ event, featuring many unforgettable racing cars. In this anniversary year marking ‘100 Years of the Nürburgring’, the history of the legendary race track will, of course, take centre stage time and again, adding a strong highlight to the programme on the Grand Prix circuit. The first races and series have already been confirmed and promise, once again, an exciting line-up of events. Until the end of the year, fans of historic motorsport can benefit from a particularly favourable advance-booking price: until 31 December, the weekend ticket is available for 69 euros – that’s a 20-euro discount on the standard price (89 euros). 🎟️ Tickets are available here. The new pricing structure rewards those who decide early to attend the BELMOT Classic Car Grand Prix. In addition to the reduced price for the weekend ticket valid until the end of the year, a further pricing structure will apply until the end of May 2027. Until then, the day ticket for Saturday costs 59 euros, whilst the weekend ticket will be available from 1 January for 79 euros. From 1 June, the full prices will apply (weekend: 89 euros / Saturday: 69 euros). By contrast, the prices for day tickets on Friday (35 euros) and Sunday (39 euros) remain unchanged throughout. As is traditional at the BELMOT Classic Car Grand Prix, access to the paddock is already included in every ticket. The event is also family-friendly thanks to free admission for young people: children and young people up to and including the age of 17 are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. A journey back in time on the legendary race trackKey dates in the racing programme have already been finalised, so visitors can look forward to a true classic car festival. Confirmed events include the Golden Era Touring Car races and the Super Touring Revival, both featuring starting grids packed with classic touring cars. The DRM Revival offers a look back at the spectacular Group 5 era. The races in the Historic Championship ’65 and the Historic Championship ’81 will award points towards the German Historic Motor Racing Championship. Porsche’s historic cup cars will also be back on the track in the Golden Era Classic Cup. Among the highlights is once again the traditional evening race featuring two-seater racing cars and GTs up to 1965. In the Nürburgring’s anniversary year, the pre-war racing cars of the Vintage Sports Car Trophy will bridge the gap to the early days of the Eifel circuit. Further sports car and formula races, as well as other attractive events, are in the pipeline. The supporting programme will definitely feature a revival of the Motor-Klassik Readers’ Race. The major marque club meet will also remain part of the programme. Numerous clubs will be represented with their unique vehicles in the car parks near the Grand Prix circuit, whilst the top marque clubs will also be housed in the AMG Arena.
16.10.2026
This year, motorsport fans are in for an early treat even before Christmas Eve. On 19 December 2026, just a few days before Christmas, the Digital Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (DNLS) kicks off its eighth season. Further races will follow on 9 January, 20 February and 13 March 2027. Each of the four races lasts three hours. Professionals from the real world of motorsport and the best sim racers will compete on the virtual Nordschleife for victories and titles. For some participants, there is more at stake than just points: as in the previous year, a DNLS season can count towards the real-world DMSB Permit Nordschleife (DPN). A total of 8,000 euros in prize money will be awarded in the Porsche Esports Endurance Trophy Nürburgring (PEETN). The champions will be honoured at the real Nordschleife during an NLS race in 2027. With Season 7, the DNLS has broken new ground. For the first time, the DMSB recognised virtual racing as proof of eligibility for the Nordschleife Permit, and the DNLS was the first platform to facilitate this. This regulation remains unchanged. Drivers who hold at least an International D licence (Circuit) can have a DNLS season counted as driving experience towards the Level B DPN. To do so, they must finish three of the four races without incurring any penalties and be classified. Participation in an RCN performance test is also required. “There’s huge anticipation for Season 8, both within our team and amongst the teams and drivers we’ve spoken to over the past few weeks,” says VLN Sporting Director Christian Vormann, who, alongside his role as NLS Race Director, is also active on the DNLS race committee. “We are proud that the DNLS once again counts towards the DMSB Nordschleife Permit this winter. In doing so, we continue to build a genuine bridge between virtual and real motorsport.” Raphael Rennhofer demonstrates just how successfully the transition from simulation to the real Nordschleife can work. The Austrian was the 2024/2025 DNLS champion and has most recently won the PEETN twice in a row. This year, he battled for the junior title in the real-life NLS and was ultimately pipped at the post. This makes him one of the drivers who perfectly combine both worlds. In sporting terms, Season 8 promises plenty. Last year’s champions are keen to defend their titles. The spotlight is particularly on BS+COMPETITION: the team secured maximum points in all four races in the BMW M2 class, thereby becoming the overall DNLS champions across all classes. In the GT3 SP9 class, Falken Simracing enters as champions. The team only clinched the championship in the very last race, with a lead of just one point. In the PEETN, EMM Esports enters the fray as defending champions. More than five dozen cars across four classes lined up on the grid for Season 7. The SP9 class features GT3 cars from Aston Martin, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche. In this class, at least one driver per car must still come from real-world motorsport. As a result, GT professionals and sim-racing specialists regularly share the cockpit in this class. In the PEETN, all participants drive the Porsche 911 Cup, so the margins are traditionally very tight there. The SP10 is reserved for GT4 cars from Aston Martin, BMW and Mercedes-AMG. In addition, there is the one-make cup featuring the BMW M2 Racing. Racing takes place in the iRacing simulation, and all races are livestreamed. The NLS commentators provide live coverage of the races. Biscuits and mulled wine on the sofa replace the bratwurst at the track. That’s all you need for a successful race day during Advent.
15.10.2026
On Sunday, 25 October 2026, the Nürburgring, together with the Rheinzeitung and RPR1, is hosting the fourth edition of the big Family Day. From 10 am to 5 pm, visitors can look forward to a varied programme featuring numerous hands-on activities, stage shows and exciting experiences – all with free admission. As usual, most of the activities will take place in the covered ring°boulevard, so they’re not affected by the weather. In addition, this year the ring°carré will take centre stage with kart slalom, bowling, eSports and food and drink. The ring°kartbahn and the open main grandstand, offering views of the Classic Car Festival, will also provide additional experiences. The Nürburgring promises a varied Sunday for all generations. On the main stage in the ring°boulevard, RPR1 will host a varied entertainment programme presented by VR Bank RheinAhrEifel eG. Once again, football artist and social media star Jannik Freestyle will be there, thrilling the crowd with spectacular ball tricks and sharing his skills in a workshop. Musical entertainment will be provided by children’s singer-songwriter Uwe Reetz, who will invite visitors of all ages to sing along and join in with his interactive concert. Magicians Roy and Dominik promise magical moments with their interactive shows. Cheerleaders from Trier and Koblenz will also be showcasing their skills on stage.Nürburgring mascot Legend and his friends will also be on hand for plenty of souvenir photos: Summi from the Rhein-Zeitung, the RPR Bear, Katta and Ingo from Schauinsland-Reisen, Mini Monti from monte mare, and Jolinchen from the AOK. A huge activity zone with games, sport and motorsportAt the ring°boulevard, families can look forward to a huge activity zone with plenty of free activities. At the Nürburgring stand, the youngest visitors can look forward to face painting, a wheel of fortune and, for the first time, a large Nürburgring bouncy castle. The Rhein-Zeitung is also bringing face painting, competitions and a bouncy castle, whilst Katta’s play van will provide entertainment with a variety of play stations.Children who are keen on motor racing can take a seat in a real Formula 4 racing car from the Nürburgring Driving Academy. Spectacular motorbike trial demonstrations by the AAC Bad Neuenahr will provide extra excitement on the ring°boulevard. The fire brigade, police and ambulance service will also be on site with their emergency vehicles, offering fascinating insights into their work. Those who prefer to experiment and tinker will be right at home at Junior Uni Daun: there, among other things, LEGO creations, VR headsets and creative hands-on activities await. The AOK invites visitors to take part in reaction games, whilst the Rhineland Football Association is represented with sporting activities and a football festival in the ring°arena. Further activities centred on karate, cheerleading and creative pursuits round off the varied programme. ring°carré: motorsport, bowling, eSports and cateringAnother highlight of this year’s Family Day is the ring°carré and the adjacent areas. In car park A10, the youngest motorsport fans can get behind the wheel themselves at the MSC Adenau kart slalom and put their skills to the test. At the new ring°bowling, eight modern bowling lanes await visitors of all ages. Shoe hire is free on the day, and there’s a ten per cent discount on drinks. The Nürburgring eSports Bar also offers motorsport enthusiasts the chance to put their driving skills to the test virtually. The Bitburger Gasthaus and Restaurant LUCIA provide the perfect refreshments with family-friendly meals. For the youngest guests, the Bitburger Gasthaus offers, amongst other things, free children’s cocktails, Ravensburger games and a bouncy castle on the forecourt. In this way, the ring°carré combines real and virtual driving experiences with games, entertainment and dining to create a varied programme for the whole family. Motorsport history and behind-the-scenes insightsAnother highlight awaits at the BMW M Power Grandstand: from here, visitors can watch the Classic Car Festival taking place simultaneously on the race track. Historic racing cars, classic Formula cars and fascinating prototypes bring motorsport history to life. Access to the taster grandstand is free on Family Day. Anyone wishing to experience the Nürburgring from a different perspective can take a backstage tour to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the circuit. The ring°kartbahn also offers driving fun for children and adults alike with its electric karts. Family films are on the programme at the ring°kino – including free junior popcorn for every child. Free admission and free parkingThe Nürburgring Family Day takes place on Sunday, 25 October, from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission to the extensive programme of hands-on activities on the ring°boulevard and access to the taster grandstand are free of charge. Thanks to the numerous covered activity areas, the Family Day remains an attractive destination even in autumnal weather. Parking is also free in car parks B1 and A6 to A8. The activity areas are within easy walking distance from there.
10.10.2026
With golden October showing its best side and bright sunshine bathing the Eifel forests surrounding the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the stage was perfectly set for the grand finale of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie. While damp patches made for tricky conditions during qualifying, the track gradually dried out. The four-hour season finale eventually took place in consistently dry conditions, treating the many fans trackside to a thrilling battle for the championship. With their seventh class win of the season in the tenth round, Edoardo Bugane, Yannick Fübrich and Sven Markert secured the 2026 NLS championship title in the BMW M240i Racing Cup (#650 Adrenalin Motorsport Team Mainhattan Wheels). In the final overall standings, the trio finished on 109 points, eight points ahead of Alexander Fielenbach and Oskar Sandberg (#953 Smyrlis Racing, 101 points), who finished second in the CUP3 class. The success also marks a historic milestone for the team led by team principal Matthias Unger, as it is already the eighth overall championship title in the history of the series for Adrenalin Motorsport. The newly crowned champions were visibly relieved after crossing the finish line. “A perfect race all round and, once again, a fantastic job by the guys – the car handled absolutely beautifully,” said Fübrich, full of praise. Markert struggled to contain his emotions at the finish: “I’m just incredibly relieved. I feel like I’ve bitten all my fingernails off from the tension. We were able to control the race from the front, but the nerves before the start were huge.” Bugane summed up the result with delight: “Anything is possible – today, an absolute dream has come true for us!” The final decisions were also made in the series’ special classifications. Piet-Jan Ooms and Ionuc Catalin Timis claimed the Production Car Trophy in the Toyota Supra entered by SRS Team Sorg Rennsport (#524). The prestigious NLS Speed Trophy went to Schubert Motorsport (#77 BMW M4 GT3 EVO) with a total of 183.00 points. Alexandru Vasilescu (#177 AV Racing by BLACK FALCON) secured the Gentleman Trophy with 86 points. Gamota locks out the front row in qualifyingThe first surprise of the day came during qualifying, when Gamota Racing fielded two GT3 cars for the first time and immediately secured an impressive front-row lockout. Antal Zsigo, Moritz Kranz and David Jahn (#23 BMW M4 GT3 EVO) claimed pole position with a lap time of 9:03.855 minutes, ahead of their teammates Zsigo, Csaba Walter and Dennis Fetzer (#36). Pole-sitter Jahn defended the lead at the start, but a spectacular battle broke out immediately behind him. Adam Christodoulou (#26 PROsport Mercedes-AMG GT3) surged from fourth on the grid around the outside into second place at Turn 2, then went wheel-to-wheel with Sven Müller in the Falken-Porsche (#44). The GT3 field showcased impressive brand diversity, with six different manufacturers occupying the top eight positions in the early stages. A collision later dropped the PROsport-AMG down the order and necessitated repairs using duct tape in the pit lane. Porsche one-two at NLS10Dunlop Motorsport ultimately celebrated overall victory at the season finale. Nico Menzel and Sven Müller (#17 Porsche 911 GT3 R) crossed the finish line as winners after 24 laps, with a 27-second lead. Tim Heinemann and Sven Müller (#44 Falken Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R) secured second place to complete the team’s one-two finish, while Jordan Pepper and Tim Tramnitz (#77 Schubert Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 EVO) completed the podium after a strong recovery drive. Müller, who contested both races and took just five laps off between switching from the Falken to the Dunlop Porsche, was named ‘Driver of the Race’ by the ILN, race control and the commentators. “First and second place for our team is an absolutely perfect result. The car was great fun to drive today,” said Sven Müller. The victory was also a special personal milestone for Nico Menzel: “With my fifth overall NLS win, I’ve now drawn level with my father – it’s just amazing that we won!” Runner-up Tim Heinemann was equally positive in his assessment: “The whole team did a top job preparing the cars, so a huge thank you to everyone.” Tim Tramnitz, who had worked his way up from 16th on the grid alongside Jordan Pepper, added proudly: “The first few laps in traffic were still pretty tricky, but given where we started, third place was the absolute maximum we could achieve.” Gamota ultimately earned a double class podium to reward its strong performance. The pole-sitters (#23) finished sixth overall and second in SP9 PRO-AM, while the sister car (#36) crossed the line in 13th overall, also securing second place in SP9 AM. Patrick Assenheimer, Tobias Müller and Dylan Pereira (#48 48 LOSCH Motorsport by BLACK FALCON, Porsche 911 GT3 R EVO) won the SP9 PRO-AM class and secured third place in the 2026 drivers’ standings. Alexey Veremenko and ‘SELV’ (#8 JUTA Racing, Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II) took victory in SP9 AM. “Simply breathtaking!”: Formula talent Mathilda Paatz shines on Nordschleife debutMathilda Paatz wrote a special family story at the NLS finale. At just 18 years old, the youngest competitor in the field made her endurance racing debut alongside her father Michael in the VW Scirocco R entered by mathilda racing, and was absolutely thrilled with the experience: “It’s completely different from formula racing. My first long stint was simply breathtaking.” The long-term goal shared by the Aston Martin junior driver and her father is to compete in the 24-hour race in the Green Hell. The two are already on equal footing within the team, as she revealed with a wink: “He’s doing a great job, especially considering he hasn’t driven much himself for a long time and has invested all his energy in me. It’s really cool that he’s now making my dream of racing together come true. Of course, I hope I’ll soon be faster than him – but for a first race, it was okay.” The father-daughter duo ultimately finished sixth in their class. A strong field and worthy champions: NLS boss Mike Jäger reflects on the seasonFor the organisers of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie, the finale marks the end of a successful year both on and off the track. The series is clearly moving in the right direction: while an average of 112 cars took to the track for qualifying last year, that figure rose to an impressive 123 cars per round this season. “We can look back on a thoroughly successful season with some really great racing,” said NLS Managing Director Mike Jäger. “We have seen absolutely worthy champions in both the overall standings and the other classifications. The series is clearly on an upward trajectory. After some more challenging periods, we are now back on very solid foundations. We can be proud of this positive development, our new champions and the work of the entire team.” Winter break with sim racing and a historic anniversary year in 2027Before the engines roar back to life in the Green Hell, the Digitale Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (DNLS) will help fans get through the winter break. The official sim racing counterpart to the NLS begins its new season on 19 December, bringing the thrilling action of the Nordschleife straight to fans’ screens. When real-world racing returns with the season opener on 20 March 2027, the lights will turn green for a major motorsport celebration: the traditional racing series will mark its 50th anniversary, coinciding with the Nürburgring’s historic 100th birthday. Note: Due to ongoing appeal proceedings, the results of NLS9 and NLS10 remain provisional, as does the championship standings. However, the outcome of these proceedings will not affect the leading positions in the overall standings.
09.10.2026
The ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie is heading towards its grand finale, with one more spectacular event in store for motorsport fans as the season draws to a close. This Saturday, 10 October, the tenth and final round will take place on the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The final four-hour race of the season will see the last 15 points up for grabs, with the championship title set to be decided. But there is plenty more to look forward to beyond the battle at the top of the standings. All to play for in the championship battleThe overall standings are set for a thrilling showdown, with three driver line-ups still in contention for the title ahead of the final four hours of racing. Leading the standings are Edoardo Bugane, Yannick Fübrich and Sven Markert. The trio compete for Adrenalin Motorsport Team Mainhattan Wheels in the BMW M240i Racing Cup and head into the Eifel with the strongest hand. Their closest challengers in second place are Alexander Fielenbach and Oskar Sandberg in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS entered by Smyrlis Racing. In third place is Alexandru Vasilescu on 80 points, competing in the BMW M4 GT4 for AV Racing by BLACK FALCON. In the four-hour race, a class win is worth 15 points, second place earns 11 and third place brings eight points. As two races have not counted towards the standings this year, there are no dropped results, meaning all eight rounds count towards the championship. Bugane, Fübrich and Markert arrive with 94 points. A class win would take them to 109 points, securing the title on their own merit. Fielenbach and Sandberg could reach a maximum of 105 points with a class win. If Bugane, Fübrich and Markert finish second in that scenario, the top two line-ups would be level on 105 points, with six class wins each. The tie-breaker would then be the higher average number of competitors in their respective classes over the course of the season. Thanks to the more strongly contested CUP3 field, this would favour Fielenbach and Sandberg. If the leading trio finish third, they would reach 102 points and fall behind Fielenbach and Sandberg. Vasilescu also retains a theoretical chance of winning the title on 80 points: he would become champion if he wins his class, Bugane, Fübrich and Markert score no points, and Fielenbach and Sandberg finish no higher than fifth. A fresh challenge for SP10There is news from local team Jung Motorsport, which is taking on a new challenge with a Mercedes-AMG GT4. Eugen Weber, Mario Fuchs and Tobias Jung will share the cockpit. Jung is optimistic about the project: “We’re really excited about taking this step. Eugen, who owns the car, approached us to ask whether we could run it for him. He also completed his permit with us this year. NLS 10 will be a test for us, and the plan is to run the car for the entire 2027 season.” Formula talent Mathilda Paatz to race alongside her father MichaelThe season finale will also see a special story unfold as rising Formula talent Mathilda Paatz takes to the track alongside her father Michael Paatz for the first time. The pair will share the VW Scirocco R entered by mathilda racing. Born on 1 August 2008, Mathilda is the youngest competitor in the entire field. Her father has secured 16 class wins in the NLS and competed regularly at the Nürburgring until 2023, before focusing fully on supporting his daughter’s career. Now, the two will share the cockpit. Having grown up in the NLS paddock, Mathilda is eagerly anticipating her debut: “I went to the 24h-Rennen at the Nürburgring with Dad and was hooked straight away. Formula racing is still my top priority. But we’ve always had this idea of racing the 24h-Rennen together one day. Now I’m getting my first kilometres on the Nordschleife under my belt, and I’m excited to see how it goes.” 21 GT3 cars, comebacks and debuts on the gridThere will also be some high-profile additions at the front of the field for the season finale. Alongside its already-entered car in the SP9 PRO-AM class, driven by Antal Zsigo, Moritz Kranz and David Jahn, Gamota Racing will field a second BMW M4 GT3 EVO in SP9 AM. This car will be shared by Antal Zsigo, Csaba Walter and Dennis Fetzer. Konrad Motorsport will also return after sitting out three races, with Pavel Lefterov, Dimitar Balev and Aleks Stefanov at the wheel of the spectacular Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO I in SP9 PRO-AM. This brings the total number of GT3 cars competing for victory in the season finale to 21. There will be other new cars and faces on the grid, too. In the BMW 325i class, Alex Wright and Jonathan Sharp will share car number 122 entered by Keeevin Motorsport. The same class will also see Luca Alpert, champion of the 2024/2025 DNLS season, make his NLS debut. He will team up with Christopher Gruber in the BMW entered by Eifelkind Racing. Titles to be decided in the special classificationsIn the Junior Trophy, Benjamin Koslowski and Raphael Rennhofer are tied at the top with 63 points each. As a side note, Rennhofer won the title in the virtual DNLS season 2024/2025 alongside Alpert, who will be making his NLS debut. In the Gentleman Trophy, Alexandru Vasilescu leads with 80 points, followed by ‘Russ Turner’ on 70 and Mike Stursberg on 61. Flavia Pellegrino Fernandes heads into the season finale as the leader of the Ladies Trophy with 37 points. Tickets for the season finale cost 25 euros and are available here as well as at the ticket offices on the day. Children and teenagers up to and including the age of 14 enjoy free admission. The ticket includes access to the open grandstands on the Grand-Prix circuit, the popular spectator areas at Brünnchen and Pflanzgarten, as well as the paddock, pit lane and starting grid. A full day of action on the Nordschleife awaits: Saturday morning’s qualifying session runs from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Fans can then get an up-close look at the cars and drivers during the Pitwalk in the pit lane from 10:20 a.m. and the Gridwalk on the starting grid from 11:10 a.m. The four-hour season finale gets underway at 12:00 p.m. Those unable to attend in person can tune in to the official livestream from 8:15 a.m. or listen to “Radio Nürburgring” on rpr1.de and via the RPR1 app.
