Verstappen to Race Red Bull-Liveried Mercedes in Nürburgring 24 Hours

Max Verstappen will make his highly anticipated debut in the legendary Nürburgring 24 Hours this May, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 wrapped in full Red Bull livery. The reigning four-time F1 world champion will tackle the fearsome Nordschleife circuit as part of a strong four-driver lineup under the 'Verstappen Racing' banner, marking a unique collaboration between Red Bull and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport for the prestigious endurance event.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's participation elevates the profile of one of the world's toughest endurance races and highlights his commitment to racing outside F1. The unusual sight of a Red Bull-branded Mercedes also represents a rare moment of crossover between two fierce F1 rivals in a different motorsport arena, showcasing a pragmatic partnership focused on winning rather than corporate rivalry.

The details:

• Verstappen will compete in the 24-hour race on May 14-17, which conveniently falls in the gap between the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix on the F1 calendar.
• He will first return to the Nordschleife for a preparatory NLS (Nürburgring Endurance Series) race on March 21-22, between the Chinese and Japanese F1 rounds.
• His co-drivers for the event are all seasoned professionals: Spaniard Daniel Juncadella, Andorran Jules Gounon, and Austrian Lucas Auer. The car will be operated by Winward Racing.
• Verstappen has prior experience on the track, having earned his Nordschleife permit and won an NLS race last year in a Ferrari alongside Chris Lulham, which he calls "very valuable" preparation.
• In a post-race interview in Australia, Verstappen commented on Red Bull's current F1 package, stating the performance gap is "half-half, so half car, half engine" but expressed pride in his team's work and optimism that improvements could see them fight further up the grid.

What's next:

All eyes will now be on Verstappen's NLS appearance in March as a critical warm-up for the main 24-hour event in May. Meanwhile, his primary focus immediately shifts to the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 F1 season at the Chinese Grand Prix, where he will look to translate his confidence in the team's potential into a stronger result on track.