Verstappen confirms surprise move: Mercedes GT3 entry for the Nürburgring 24H

Max Verstappen will race with Mercedes — but with Red Bull’s backing — in the upcoming 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The four‑time Formula 1 world champion is taking on a new challenge this season without losing sight of his main priority: defending his F1 title.

As announced on his official website, the Dutch driver will compete in the legendary endurance race behind the wheel of a Mercedes‑AMG GT3 with Winward Racing. He’ll also run the NLS2 event later this March as preparation — the only warm‑up race he can attend given the brutally packed 2026 F1 schedule.

“The Nürburgring Nordschleife is a special place. There’s no other track like it,” Verstappen said, clearly eager to push himself beyond Formula 1.

He added that the 24‑hour race has been on his “wish list for a long time,” and now, with Red Bull’s support, the project marks “another important step in Verstappen Racing’s commitment to GT3 competition and the expansion of its motorsport activities.” It also signals Verstappen’s long‑term interest in top‑tier endurance racing.

This won’t be his first taste of the Nordschleife. “Last year I earned my DMSB permit for the Nordschleife and raced in NLS9, which we won,” he explained. “That preparation is incredibly valuable. We learned a lot that we can apply to this year’s program with NLS2 and the 24‑hour race.”

A Packed March for Verstappen’s GT3 Program

Verstappen’s preparations for the 2026 24 Hours of Nürburgring begin this month. Mercedes‑AMG Team Verstappen Racing will compete in several Nürburgring Langstrecken‑Serie events leading up to the main race:

• NLS1 — March 14
• NLS2 — March 21
• 24 Hours of Nürburgring Qualifiers — April 18–19

The car will run with number 3 and feature a bold new livery inspired by Verstappen’s F1 design. Due to the tight F1 calendar, Verstappen will only be able to attend the March 21 race, taking advantage of the break between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix.

A Championship‑Caliber Driver Lineup

Verstappen will be joined by a powerhouse roster for the endurance classic:

“We’ve got a strong lineup with Dani, Jules, and Lucas, plus great support from Red Bull and Mercedes‑AMG Motorsport,” Verstappen said. “Now it’s about preparing properly before testing so we can get the most out of the races.”

Juncadella, a Nürburgring veteran, is just as excited: “I’m incredibly proud to join Mercedes‑AMG Team Verstappen Racing. I love the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. I’ve raced there for many years, and I hope this is finally my chance to fight for the win. Our package is extremely strong — a competitive car and a top‑tier lineup. I know Max well from his sim‑racing team, and preparing for the 24 Hours on the simulator is hugely valuable. We’ve already done a lot of prep work. I’m grateful to Mercedes‑AMG Motorsport and Genesis Magma Racing, who I represent in the Hypercar program, for giving me the green light to take on this GT3 project.”

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