Verstappen confirms Nürburgring 24 Hours debut with Red Bull-backed Mercedes

Max Verstappen will make his debut at the legendary Nürburgring 24 Hours in May, driving a Red Bull-liveried Mercedes-AMG GT3. The four-time F1 world champion will lead a strong driver lineup for the endurance classic, a race he has long targeted, following his successful preparation and victory in a precursor event last year.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's expanding extracurricular racing schedule highlights his passion for competition beyond Formula 1, especially as he has been openly critical of the sport's 2026 regulations. His participation, backed by both Red Bull and Mercedes-AMG, is a major coup for the event and demonstrates his commitment to his own Verstappen Racing team's projects outside the F1 calendar.

The details:

• The Programme: Verstappen will contest the Nürburgring 24 Hours on May 16-17, preceded by the mandatory NLS2 qualifying race on March 21.
• Strong Lineup: He will share the #130 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with factory drivers Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer.
• Unique Partnership: The entry is a collaboration between Verstappen Racing, Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, and Red Bull, featuring a striking Red Bull livery on the German machine.
• Strategic Timing: His participation was facilitated by the move of the NLS2 race into the gap between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix, fitting neatly into his F1 schedule.
• Proven Preparation: The program builds on his 2025 success, where he earned his Nordschleife permit and won the NLS9 race, providing valuable experience for the 24-hour challenge.

What's next:

With the entry now official, the focus shifts to preparation for the NLS2 race in March, which serves as a critical shakedown for the main event in May. Verstappen's debut adds significant star power to an already iconic race, and his performance will be closely watched as a barometer of his and his team's capabilities in top-level GT3 endurance racing.