Mercedes blocks Kimi Antonelli Nürburgring permit plan
21/05/2026
Kimi Antonelli will not be following Max Verstappen into the Green Hell just yet.
The young Mercedes Formula 1 driver recently spoke about wanting to obtain the DMSB Nordschleife Permit, also known as the DPN, by the end of the year. That would be the first step towards racing on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and eventually maybe even joining the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Mercedes has now shut that idea down. For now, at least.
Mercedes has too much to lose
Antonelli is not a normal junior driver looking for extra kilometres. He is currently one of the biggest stories in Formula 1. According to Motorsport.com, Mercedes wants him to keep his “full focus” on F1, with the same report noting that Antonelli leads the drivers’ championship after three consecutive Grand Prix wins and holds a 20-point advantage over George Russell after the first four races.
If Antonelli was mid-grid, under less pressure and not carrying Mercedes’ title hopes, maybe the conversation would be different. But right now, he is central to Mercedes’ season. Letting him chase a Nordschleife permit in the middle of a championship fight would be romantic, but not very smart.
Verstappen made it look possible, but not simple
The obvious comparison is Max Verstappen. Verstappen’s Nürburgring 24 Hours debut became one of the biggest motorsport stories of the year. His #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 led deep into the race before a late driveshaft issue destroyed the team’s victory hopes, while the sister #80 Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL went on to win the race.
That race probably inspired half the F1 grid to dream about the Nordschleife. But Verstappen is a different case. He is older, more experienced, already hugely established, and has built a serious sim racing and GT culture around himself. Mercedes knows that. Lord’s “after four world championships” comment may have been light-hearted, but the message underneath was serious.
The Nordschleife is not just another test
Getting the DPN is not symbolic. The Nordschleife requires respect, preparation and a very specific racecraft. Traffic management is brutal. Speed differences are massive. Weather changes fast. Code 60 zones, night running, mixed classes and limited visibility make the Nürburgring 24 Hours one of the most mentally demanding events in the world.
Verstappen’s debut proved the appeal. But it also proved the risk. Even with a top team, top co-drivers and a race-leading car, victory can disappear in the final hours through one mechanical failure. That is exactly what happened to the #3 Mercedes after Juncadella took over from Verstappen with just over three hours remaining.
AutoNext Take
We love the idea of Kimi Antonelli racing at the Nürburgring. Of course we do. But Mercedes is right to say no. For now. Antonelli is 19. He is leading the championship. Mercedes is finally in a position where it can fight properly again. The last thing the team needs is its new superstar adding risk, distraction and extra pressure just because the Nürburgring suddenly became the fashionable thing to do. The Green Hell can wait.
