Verstappen Completes nordschleife Run, Faces Regulatory Hurdle for road Legal Approval
Nürburg, Germany – Max Verstappen successfully completed a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife at the wheel of the Red Bull RB7 on April 26, 2024, fulfilling his commitment to a bet with David Coulthard. However, despite the successful exhibition, securing road-legal approval for the Formula 1 car remains contingent on a special exemption from german authorities.
The run, a spectacle for motorsport fans, saw the two-time World Champion navigate the notoriously challenging 20.832-kilometer circuit.While Verstappen’s lap time wasn’t officially recorded, the event showcased the RB7’s capabilities outside of a typical Grand Prix habitat.the drive stemmed from a wager made with Coulthard, a Red Bull Racing ambassador, following Verstappen’s 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix victory. Coulthard had predicted Verstappen wouldn’t be able to complete a lap of the nordschleife in the RB7, prompting the challenge.
Despite the successful lap,the RB7,built to Formula 1 regulations,does not meet the requirements for road use under German law. Regulations mandate features like functioning lights, indicators, and a compliant exhaust system - all absent on the single-seater. Red Bull is now seeking a special exemption, arguing the RB7’s demonstration serves as a unique promotional event and doesn’t represent an attempt to register the car for regular road use. the outcome of this request will determine whether the RB7 can be driven on public roads, even for limited purposes.