Max Verstappen targets the 24 Hours of Nürburgring with a Mercedes-AMG GT3
09/03/2026
It has long been clear that Max Verstappen has a deep passion for endurance racing.
Now that passion is becoming reality. Verstappen Racing has officially confirmed its participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2026, entering a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in collaboration with Winward Racing. The programme will be supported by Red Bull and represents an important step in Verstappen Racing’s long-term ambition to compete at the highest level of endurance racing.
Preparation through the Nürburgring Endurance Series
The legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife is widely regarded as one of the most challenging circuits in the world. For Verstappen, competing there in the 24-hour race has been a long-time dream. Preparation for the main event will begin through several races in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie. The team is scheduled to compete in:
NLS1 (March 14)
NLS2 (March 21)
24h Nürburgring Qualifiers (April 18–19)
The Mercedes-AMG GT3 will run with car number 3, mirroring Verstappen’s racing number in Formula 1.
A strong driver lineup
For the 24-hour race, Verstappen will be joined by an experienced and competitive driver lineup consisting of:
Max Verstappen
Dani Juncadella
Jules Gounon
Lucas Auer
All four drivers bring extensive experience in GT and endurance racing, which is essential for a race widely regarded as one of the toughest in motorsport. Verstappen himself describes the Nordschleife as a truly unique track, unlike anything else in the world.
Verstappen already proved himself on the Nordschleife
The announcement didn’t come completely out of nowhere. In 2025, Verstappen already competed in the Nürburgring Endurance Series and won the race on his debut.
That victory also allowed him to obtain the required DMSB Nordschleife permit, a license necessary to compete on the circuit.
According to Verstappen, that experience provided valuable preparation for a full endurance programme leading up to the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
A Red Bull-style reveal
The announcement of the programme was revealed in true Red Bull fashion.
To unveil the new livery, extreme athlete Max Manow performed a spectacular 131-meter BASE jump into a cooling tower, revealing the striking Red Bull design that will appear on the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
AutoNext Take: Verstappen following the path of motorsport legends
Verstappen’s move toward endurance racing should not come as a surprise. Many of the greatest drivers in motorsport history have expanded their careers into iconic endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans or the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
What makes this project particularly interesting is that Verstappen is pursuing it while maintaining a full-time Formula One calendar.
If everything goes according to plan, this Nürburgring programme could mark the beginning of a much larger endurance racing project for Verstappen Racing. And honestly, a Formula 1 world champion attacking the Nordschleife in a GT3 car is exactly the kind of motorsport story fans love to see.
