The reigning Formula One champion, Max Verstappen, will expand his racing program in 2026 with a notable move into endurance racing. The Dutch driver has confirmed that he will compete for the first time in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, one of the most demanding events on the international motorsport calendar, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 operated by Winward Racing.
The participation marks another step in Verstappen’s growing interest in GT and endurance competitions, a discipline he has explored alongside his career in the Formula One.
A Long-Awaited Goal at the Nürburgring Nordschleife
The legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife will host Verstappen’s debut in the iconic German endurance race, scheduled for May. The driver has acknowledged that competing in the event had been one of his personal goals for quite some time.
According to Verstappen, the experience he gained at the circuit in recent seasons played a key role in making the decision to enter the race. In 2025, he obtained the special permit required to compete on the Nordschleife and took part in a round of the Nürburgring Endurance Series, where he secured victory on his GT3 debut.
That appearance served as an important first step toward the greater challenge posed by the 24-hour race, widely considered one of the toughest events in motorsport due to the circuit’s length, technical complexity, and the constant multi-class traffic throughout the race.
Preparation Through the Nürburgring Endurance Series
Before competing in the main event, Verstappen will undertake a preparation phase by entering the second round of the championship, known as NLS2, scheduled for March 21.
He will race with the number 3, the same number he typically uses in Formula One, and aims to accumulate valuable mileage under real race conditions on the German track. This type of preparation is common among drivers planning to compete in the 24-hour race, as it helps them adapt to traffic management, long-stint driving strategies, and the unique challenges of the circuit.
The project is part of a broader initiative driven by Verstappen under the structure of his own racing program, with the intention of exploring endurance racing more seriously in the long term.
A Mercedes-AMG GT3 Backed by Red Bull
Although the car will be a Mercedes-AMG GT3 run by Winward Racing, the program will receive direct support from Red Bull, which will provide the car’s livery and institutional backing for the initiative.
The announcement of the program was presented in typical Red Bull fashion, featuring an acrobatic reveal in which aerial athlete Max Manow performed a BASE jump from an industrial tower to unveil the car’s design.
The lineup will also include experienced GT3 drivers Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer—three competitors with extensive backgrounds in endurance racing and strong ties to Mercedes-AMG Motorsport.
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