Max Verstappen, four-time Formula 1 World Champion, announced his upcoming debut in the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race scheduled for May 2026. Just one day after finishing sixth in the opening race of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Verstappen confirmed he will drive a Mercedes-AMG GT3 car for the event, reflecting his long-standing interest in endurance racing. His participation adds significant excitement as he brings his exceptional skills from Formula 1 to the notorious endurance challenge at the Nürburgring.
Unique Reveal of Verstappen’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 Car
The launch of Verstappen’s car was marked by a spectacular stunt involving German athlete Max Manow, who completed a 430-foot BASE jump into a decommissioned natural gas steam power plant cooling tower in Meppen, Germany. Inside this towering structure, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 sported an eye-catching Red Bull livery and will compete with the race number 3, matching Verstappen’s number in Formula 1 this season.
Experienced Team to Support Verstappen in Endurance Race
Verstappen will share driving duties with Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Daniel Juncadella. Both Auer and Gounon serve as factory drivers for Mercedes’ GT3 program, while Juncadella recently transitioned from Corvette Racing to piloting Le Mans Hypercars for Genesis Magma Racing. This strong lineup aims to position the team as serious contenders in the GT3-focused race. In preparation, Verstappen and his teammates will participate in several events leading up to the 24-hour race, including Verstappen’s season debut at the NLS2 on March 21.
Verstappen Reflects on the Nürburgring Challenge
The Nürburgring is a special place. There’s no other track like it. The 24h Nürburgring is a race that’s been on my bucket list for a long time, so I’m really thrilled we can make it happen now,
Verstappen said.
Last year, I was able to get my DMSB Permit Nordschleife and participate in NLS9, that we won. That preparation is very valuable, as we have learned a lot that we can take into our program this year with NLS2 and the 24-hour race. We’ve got a strong line-up with Dani, Jules and Lucas and great support from Red Bull and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. Now it’s about putting in the right preparations before the events, so we can maximize everything in the races.
Mercedes-AMG’s Early Season Momentum and Endurance Ambitions
Though the Formula 1 season is only just underway, Mercedes-AMG has demonstrated compelling pace by securing a one-two finish at the Australian Grand Prix opener. This strong performance signals a formidable challenge to Verstappen’s pursuit of a fifth world championship. Meanwhile, Verstappen will need to shift focus to mastering the demanding Nürburgring Nordschleife, often dubbed the Green Hell. If the GT3 car delivers performance comparable to the team’s Formula 1 machines, Verstappen could soon add an endurance racing trophy to his impressive career achievements.
