Max Verstappen‘s long-anticipated entry into the Nurburgring 24 Hours has moved closer to reality, but one critical obstacle remains: finding space in the packed motorsport calendar for mandatory preparation races. Mercedes is now actively lobbying organisers to adjust the NLS schedule, potentially clearing the path for the four-time world champion to compete in one of endurance racing’s most demanding events.
Mercedes makes formal request to NLS organisers
Mercedes-AMG has officially approached the NLS series about postponing the opening round, currently scheduled for 14 March—the same weekend as the Chinese Grand Prix. The request comes as Winward Racing confirmed its entry as the Mercedes-AMG Performance Team for the 24-hour race at the Nordschleife, establishing the framework for Verstappen’s potential endurance debut.
According to NLS boss Mike Jager, discussions are underway but far from concluded. “The request for a possible postponement has now been submitted, but nothing more than that,” Jager confirmed. The proposed new date would be 21 March, placing the race between the China and Japan rounds of the Formula 1 season—weather conditions in the Eifel region permitting.
Multiple stakeholders must align before any decision is reached, with other racing series holding conflicting date reservations. All three NLS races and both qualifying sessions before the 24-hour event currently overlap with Formula 1’s calendar, creating a logistical puzzle that requires careful negotiation.
Senior Mercedes executives backing the project
The push for Verstappen’s participation reportedly extends to the highest levels of Mercedes-Benz. Company CEO Ola Kallenius and motorsport director Toto Wolff are said to be personally involved in securing the calendar adjustment. Such high-level involvement underscores the significance Mercedes places on attracting Formula 1’s reigning world champion to their GT3 programme.
Verstappen has already secured approval from multiple parties. Red Bull Racing, Red Bull GmbH, and Mercedes have all given the green light for the project. The final piece hinges entirely on whether Verstappen can satisfy the requirement to compete in a preparatory race—an essential qualification for the 24-hour endurance contest.
The Formula 1 driver has not been idle while awaiting calendar decisions. This week, Verstappen completed additional testing in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Portimao, experiencing both wet and dry conditions that closely mirror the unpredictable weather typical of the Eifel region. He prioritised this track time despite being scheduled to attend Red Bull’s 2026 Formula 1 livery presentation in Detroit.
Verstappen assembling his own driver lineup
The Dutchman is personally selecting his co-drivers for the Mercedes-AMG entry, which would compete under Verstappen.com Racing branding. DTM runner-up Lucas Auer tops the list of potential teammates. The Austrian finished as the strongest Mercedes driver in the 2025 DTM standings and shares history with Verstappen from the 2014 Formula 3 European Championship, where they battled for podium positions.
Sim racer Chris Lulham represents another likely addition. Lulham previously partnered with Verstappen during his NLS victory in an Emil Frey Ferrari, establishing chemistry that could prove valuable across 24 hours of racing. Mercedes factory driver Jules Gounon, who served as Verstappen’s reference during testing at Estoril, is also under consideration.
Daniel Juncadella holds a particularly significant role in the project. The former Mercedes-AMG driver, who will race for Genesis in the 2026 World Endurance Championship, shares Verstappen’s passion for sim racing and is regarded as a trusted advisor bringing valuable AMG expertise to the table.
Notable absence from potential driver roster
One prominent Mercedes driver appears unlikely to join the lineup: Maro Engel. Despite being among the fastest drivers on the Nordschleife, the 40-year-old veteran reportedly won’t feature in Verstappen’s team following a public disagreement on social media. Engel questioned whether Verstappen’s impressive test times were achieved with a more favourable balance of performance from DTM regulations, sparking a war of words between the pair.
Engel will instead share the Winward Mercedes entry in Ravenol livery with factory drivers Luca Stolz, Fabian Schiller, and Maxime Martin. His car design received input from his father, creating a family connection to the project that runs parallel to Verstappen’s own ambitions.
Additional sponsorship for the Verstappen entry could include Haribo, though final commercial arrangements remain to be confirmed as the project awaits its definitive approval.
What this means going forward
The coming weeks will determine whether the NLS calendar can accommodate Verstappen’s participation requirements. If the 21 March date proves viable, Verstappen would have the opportunity to complete essential preparation races before the 24-hour event itself. His recent testing sessions demonstrate a commitment to arriving properly prepared, maximising every available opportunity to build experience in the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
For Mercedes, securing Verstappen’s entry would represent a significant marketing coup, placing the current Formula 1 world champion in one of motorsport’s most prestigious endurance races. For Verstappen, it offers a rare chance to pursue his passion for GT racing during a limited window in the Formula 1 calendar. The decision now rests with series organisers balancing multiple competing interests against the potential spotlight such a high-profile entry would bring.
