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With huge new chassis and engine regulation changes and a 24-race Formula 1 calendar, 2026 is already shaping up to be really demanding for Max Verstappen.
That burden will be heavier still for teams switching power unit partners, such as Red Bull Racing, which will embark on its first season with its own powertrain (via some help from Ford) after seven years with Honda power.
But despite the intensity of what lies ahead – and while nothing has been formally signed off – multiple indicators suggest the Dutchman is targeting an appearance at the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours (May 16–17).
Here’s why.
Where does Verstappen.com stand?
That part is already official. On December 24, Max Verstappen.com announced a multi-year partnership with Mercedes-AMG. In 2026, the team will be run with the support of 2 Seas Motorsport and will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe.
The car will be driven by Chris Lulham, who will be joined in the five-round Sprint Cup by Aston Martin F1 simulator driver and Genesis World Endurance Championship signing Dani Juncadella. For the Endurance Cup rounds – including the Spa 24 Hours (June 27–28) – the line-up will be bolstered by Mercedes-AMG works driver Jules Gounon.
Last week, Verstappen.com continued its preparations with a test in Portugal – not at Estoril, but at Portimao’s Algarve International Circuit. Despite the session taking place just days before Red Bull Racing's launch with Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, Verstappen was present and driving. It was another reminder of his relentless appetite for competition.
Two cars were running in southern Portugal. Verstappen was not the only one behind the wheel: Isa bin Al Khlafia, co-owner of 2 Seas Motorsport, and long-time Verstappen friend Jack Martin also took part.
Gounon was absent due to his commitments at the Dubai 24 Hours, while Juncadella was in Qatar for a Genesis Magma Racing test.
Why 2026 looks almost perfect
In recent weeks, speculation has been rife, a reflection of the fascination surrounding Verstappen’s desire to tackle endurance racing’s biggest events. Will he? Won’t he?
At one stage, there were even rumours of a Nurburgring 24 Hours entry in a Porsche 911 GT3 R. But as things stand, Verstappen’s intention is clear: if he races, it will be in a Mercedes-AMG GT3.
For several reasons, this is an opportunity he can scarcely afford to miss. Under Nurburgring regulations, any driver who has not competed in the NLS or the Nurburgring 24 Hours for five years is automatically downgraded to Grade B – a technicality, but not a major obstacle.
More importantly, the 2026 edition does not clash with any Formula 1 grand prix. The race falls on the weekend of May 16–17, two weeks after the Miami GP and one week before the Canadian GP.
That is far from common. Of the last 16 editions, 10 have clashed with F1 weekends. Whether by design or coincidence, the most recent overlap came in 2022.
What still needs to fall into place?
As of now, Verstappen cannot take part in any NLS rounds ahead of the Nurburgring 24 Hours, nor in the 24h Qualifiers because of F1 clashes.
NLS1, NLS2 and NLS3 clash with the Shanghai (March 15), Japanese (March 29) and Bahrain (April 12) grands prix, respectively. The 24h Qualifiers are scheduled for April 18–19, the same weekend as the Saudi Arabian GP.
For all his talent, Verstappen is keen to contest at least one Nürburgring Endurance Series race in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 before mid-May. The aim is simple: avoid arriving on the Nordschleife with no competitive mileage.
To address this, Mercedes-AMG is understood to have requested that the DMSB move NLS1 back by one week, to March 21. At the time of writing, no decision has been taken, particularly as that weekend already hosts a round of the RCN (Rundstrecken Challenge Nürburgring), another Nordschleife-based series.
Still, it would be surprising if no compromise were found. Both the DMSB and ADAC are acutely aware of the impact Verstappen’s presence would have on the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
The second question mark, inevitably, is F1 itself. If the early running of the Red Bull RB22 fails to meet expectations, Verstappen may choose to focus entirely on his F1 campaign rather than spreading himself too thin.
Which team, and with which team-mates?
If everything aligns, who would Verstappen race with? Not 2 Seas Motorsport – the team running his GT World Challenge Europe programme lacks sufficient Nordschleife experience. Instead, his attention has reportedly turned to Winward Racing.
Founded in 2013 and also known as HTP Motorsport, Winward Racing has six Nurburgring 24 Hours appearances to its name, with a best result of second place in 2016.
IMSA GTD champions, GT World Challenge Europe and ADAC GT Masters title winners, and winners at the Spa 24 Hours, Daytona 24 Hours (GTD) and Sebring 12 Hours (GTD), Winward is one of Mercedes-AMG’s benchmark customer teams.
A few days ago, it announced its return to the Nürburgring 24 Hours after a six-year absence, entering a Ravenol-liveried Mercedes-AMG GT3. According to our information, a second car could also be fielded, potentially carrying Red Bull branding. Both entries would receive direct Mercedes-AMG backing, as the manufacturer eyes a chance to end a 10-year winless run in the Green Hell.
Should that happen, Verstappen would be joined by an all-star line-up: Jules Gounon, Dani Juncadella and Lucas Auer, the 2025 DTM vice-champion with Winward Racing. Lulham wouldn't feature.
