Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen will compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race for the first time, marking a significant venture into professional motorsport beyond single-seater competition. The Red Bull Racing driver has been officially confirmed to race for the factory-supported Winward team in May, piloting a Mercedes-AMG GT3 alongside experienced endurance specialists. This commitment represents a carefully planned expansion of Verstappen’s racing portfolio, with the Dutch driver having made clear his desire to test himself across different disciplines while maintaining his F1 commitments.
Partnership with Mercedes and Winward Racing
Verstappen will join forces with three accomplished drivers at the Nurburgring, each bringing substantial expertise to the project. Lucas Auer and Jules Gounon both serve as Mercedes factory drivers with extensive Nordschleife experience, while Daniel Juncadella, a recent addition to Genesis’ Hypercar programme, brings proven credentials across multiple categories. The combination creates what Mercedes customer racing head Stefan Wendl described as an excellently positioned performance line-up. Both Auer and Gounon also compete as teammates for Winward in GT World Challenge Europe, ensuring strong internal team synergy and shared setup knowledge that will benefit the entire operation throughout the 24-hour event.
Strategic preparation and NLS2 participation
Rather than arriving at the Nurburgring unprepared, Verstappen insisted on gaining competitive experience in the supporting NLS2 series beforehand. Mercedes specifically requested that the NLS2 race be brought forward from 28 March to 21 March to accommodate the F1 driver’s schedule, avoiding a potential conflict with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. This strategic decision demonstrates Verstappen’s professionalism and commitment to approaching the challenge seriously. The preparatory outing will provide critical familiarity with the Mercedes-AMG GT3’s handling characteristics and allow the driver quartet to work through baseline setups before tackling the full 24-hour distance.
Learning from previous Nordschleife experience
Verstappen’s only prior experience at the Nurburgring Nordschleife came last November when he competed in an Emil Frey Ferrari 296 GT3 during the penultimate round of that series. That exposure provided valuable context for understanding the circuit’s unique demands, though he will face a different learning curve adapting to the Mercedes platform. The shift between Ferrari and Mercedes machinery, combined with the endurance format’s physical and strategic demands, presents substantial challenges even for a four-time world champion accustomed to pushing machinery to its absolute limits. However, his previous Nordschleife outing demonstrates that Verstappen recognises the value of circuit-specific experience and refuses to compete without adequate preparation.
Technical preparation and testing programme
Mercedes has committed to intensive testing in southern Europe beginning at the end of February to ensure the #3 car is fully optimised before the Nurburgring event. Stefan Wendl highlighted that the team has analysed the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in considerable detail to unlock additional performance potential. Working with tyre partner Michelin and the operational expertise of Winward Racing, every element of the car’s setup and performance envelope will be refined. This comprehensive approach reflects Mercedes’ serious commitment to supporting Verstappen’s endurance debut and underscores that this is not a casual appearance but a competitive entry designed to challenge for strong results.
Mercedes’ expanded Nurburgring presence
The Stuttgart manufacturer will field two so-called Performance Teams at the Nordschleife event, both operated by Winward Racing. Beyond the Verstappen Racing entry featuring the F1 star, Mercedes will also enter the #80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 under the Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL banner. This second car features an experienced driver pairing including Maro Engel, Maxime Martin, Fabian Schiller, and Luca Stolz. Engel was instrumental in Mercedes’ last Nurburgring 24 victory in 2016, sharing driving duties with Adam Christodoulou, Manuel Metzger, and Bernd Schneider. This dual-car strategy demonstrates Mercedes’ confidence in the platform and commitment to maximising representation at one of endurance racing’s most prestigious events.
Looking toward May and beyond
Verstappen’s decision to tackle the Nurburgring 24 Hours signals a driver hungry for new challenges beyond the F1 grid. At 26 years old and already a four-time world champion, the Dutchman is using his standing to pursue diverse motorsport experiences. The May event will test whether his exceptional single-seater racecraft translates effectively to endurance competition where consistency, tyre management across multiple stints, and strategic decision-making over 24 hours carry entirely different weight than qualifying laps. Success here would position Verstappen among the elite competitors capable of excelling across multiple racing categories, adding another dimension to an already remarkable career trajectory.
