Verstappen leaves Ferrari for Mercedes: the reasoning behind the team’s decision
Max Verstappen’s team is leaving Ferrari and moving to Mercedes starting in 2026 for the GT World Challenge Europe. The decision is a technical one, closely tied to endurance racing and the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
The future of Verstappen.com Racing has been officially confirmed: from 2026, the team associated with Max Verstappen will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe with the Mercedes-AMG GT3. This marks the end of the Ferrari chapter, which began with the 296 GT3, and a clear shift towards the Affalterbach brand, with cars operated by 2 Seas Motorsport.
This decision has nothing to do with Formula 1 and should be seen exclusively within the parallel motorsport path that the four-time World Champion is building outside of F1. Verstappen does not race as a hobby: the GT project is structured, technical, and aimed at growth. The move to Mercedes represents an acceleration in that journey.
From Aston Martin and Ferrari to Mercedes: a technical, not ideological choice
In 2025, the team had split its programs: Aston Martin for the Endurance Cup, Ferrari for the Sprint Cup with Emil Frey Racing. Victory at the Nürburgring with the Ferrari 296 GT3, achieved after completing the necessary special license to race on the Green Hell, confirmed Verstappen’s talent beyond single-seaters. Yet the circle was not fully closed.
Tests conducted at Estoril with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, alongside Jules Gounon, just after the conclusion of the 2025 Formula 1 season, guided the decision. The German car is considered one of the most complete and “honest” in the category, stable, predictable, and competitive on every type of track—decisive characteristics for endurance racing and, above all, the Nürburgring.
The 2026 program will feature participation in the Sprint Cup with Chris Lulham and Daniel Juncadella, while Gounon will join for the Endurance Cup races. “We are pleased that Verstappen Racing has chosen to field a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the GT World Challenge Europe. Together with 2 Seas Motorsport, the project is supported by a highly experienced team,” explained Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing.
The Nürburgring remains the goal: Verstappen targets the 24 Hours of the Green Hell
The move to Mercedes does not rule out occasional returns by Verstappen to the Nürburgring with Ferrari, but the picture is clear: the AMG GT3 is now considered the most suitable platform to compete as a frontrunner in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. Calendar conflicts and overlaps with F1 remain unknowns, but the direction is established.
Max Verstappen continues to emphasize that Formula 1 remains the focus of his career. Everything else, however, is not secondary. It is a genuine project, and the decision to leave Aston Martin and Ferrari for Mercedes confirms that ambition.
As Max Verstappen moves toward the 2026 era of motorsport, his commitment to technical excellence across different disciplines highlights his desire to be more than just a Grand Prix driver. By aligning with Mercedes-AMG, he is positioning his team to be a dominant force in endurance racing for years to come.
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