A further major step has been taken in the partnership between Max Verstappen and Mercedes. Last December Verstappen Racing – the Dutchman’s GT3 team – announced it would team up with Mercedes‑AMG Motorsport. At the end of February it emerged that the team – now officially registered as Mercedes‑AMG Team Verstappen Racing – will also receive factory status within the Silver Arrows programme.
Max Verstappen has run his own GT3 outfit for a few years and has regularly contested endurance races. Last year he made his GT3 debut on the Nürburgring Nordschleife and the Dutch world champion immediately took a win in the NLS series. Verstappen and team‑mate Chris Lulham were then in a Ferrari GT3; earlier the pair had campaigned an Aston Martin. In December 2025 Verstappen Racing announced a switch to Mercedes GT3 machinery.
Last Wednesday GT World Challenge Europe – the organisation behind the GT3 races – confirmed Mercedes had entered Verstappen’s team as one of three so‑called ‘Performance Teams’. That designation brings factory support from the Silver Arrows. The backing covers both the Endurance Cup and the Sprint Cup. It’s another step forward in the Verstappen–Mercedes partnership.
Verstappen back to the Nürburgring?
Although the press release says nothing about Verstappen himself entering any of the endurance races – Jules Gounon, Daniel Juncadella and Chris Lulham form the fixed line‑up for Team Verstappen Racing – the Dutchman has previously voiced a desire to tackle the 24‑hour race at the Nürburgring. The NLS series has already adjusted its 2026 calendar to allow a possible appearance by the four‑time world champion.
See the F1 calendar for 2026
