Despite his demanding Formula 1 commitments, Max Verstappen is eager to return to the Nürburgring. However, he could do so behind the wheel of a Mercedes rather than the Ferrari 296 GT3. The Dutch driver, a four-time Formula 1 world champion, is already evaluating his 2026 calendar, with a clear ambition: to take part in the legendary 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, but only if the preparation and overall conditions are right.
If the famous German endurance race does not clash with any Formula 1 Grand Prix, the same cannot currently be said for the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) events. This makes the overall planning far more complicated for a driver who remains fully committed to Red Bull Racing and the Formula 1 World Championship.
There is a sense of growing excitement in the endurance racing paddock and around Verstappen.com Racing. Max Verstappen’s team was recently spotted at Estoril, with the Hasselt-born champion sharing track time with Jules Gounon in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. According to paddock observations, the Stuttgart-built car appears to be the preferred choice for the GT World Challenge Europe, but its potential use could extend well beyond that single championship.
The situation, however, is far from straightforward. Should the Dutch driver decide to return to the Nürburgring, he could once again do so with Emil Frey Racing and the Ferrari 296 GT3, the same car with which he already claimed victory in NLS 9 a few months ago. When it comes to entering the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, though, much deeper considerations are required.
The Nordschleife endurance classic is widely regarded as one of the most demanding races in the world. In such an extreme environment, complete trust and harmony between the driver, the team and the race car are absolutely essential, especially for a Formula 1 driver stepping into a highly competitive GT3 field.
Mercedes vs Ferrari, a matter of experience
According to a report from motorsport-total.com, the Dutchman’s team could lean towards the Mercedes-AMG GT3 due to its greater sporting maturity. The German car is considered to be at the peak of its development cycle, particularly when compared to the relatively younger Ferrari 296 GT3, despite the Italian manufacturer securing overall victory at the Nürburgring in 2023 with Frikadelli Racing.
It is said that Chris Lulham, Max Verstappen’s team-mate, would personally prefer the Stuttgart-based GT3 over the Maranello-built Ferrari. This preference could play a role in shaping the final decision, especially within a driver-focused project such as Verstappen.com Racing.
However, the uncertainties do not stop with the choice of car. At Estoril, the two Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries were run by 2 Seas Motorsport, a team that competes in the GT World Challenge Europe but has no direct experience at the Nürburgring. For one of the most prestigious endurance races on the calendar, it is highly unlikely that Verstappen would rely on a squad without a proven Nordschleife track record.
Similarly, if the mechanical choice were to fall on the Mercedes-AMG GT3, Emil Frey Racing would also be ruled out of the equation, as the Swiss team is closely linked to Ferrari in GT competition.
This could open the door to Winward Racing, a team with extensive experience alongside Mercedes at the Nürburgring, including a second-place finish in the 24 Hours back in 2016. Max Verstappen has reportedly been seen in discussions with AMG managers, although the German publication does not specify the exact topics covered during those talks.
Formula 1 commitments and the Nordschleife dream
What still remains unclear is the real feasibility of combining a full Formula 1 season with a Nürburgring programme. While the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring does not currently overlap with any Formula 1 race weekend, the same cannot be said for the NLS championship rounds.
Once again citing motorsport-total.com, Max Verstappen would reportedly only be willing to commit to the endurance classic if he were able to take part in at least the opening round of the NLS season. That condition is seen as essential to properly prepare for the unique challenges of the Nordschleife.
The main obstacle is the Shanghai weekend, where the multiple Formula 1 world champion will be racing for Red Bull at the Chinese Grand Prix, which coincides exactly with NLS 1. While changes to the German series calendar were initially ruled out, NLS CEO Mike Jäger has since hinted at the possibility of adjustments, even if they are not officially linked to the wishes of the Dutch driver.
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