Verstappen racing elevates GT ambitions with multi-year Mercedes-AMG partnership
Verstappen Racing has announced a multi-year collaboration with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, marking a significant expansion of the four-time Formula 1 World Champion's racing portfolio beyond the pinnacle of motorsport. The partnership, which officially commences in the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe season, sees the team transition from Aston Martin machinery to the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.
This strategic move represents a pivotal moment for Verstappen's customer racing operation, as the organization continues to establish itself as a serious contender in international GT competition. The collaboration is underpinned by factory resources and technical expertise, positioning Verstappen Racing for an ambitious campaign across multiple categories.
Partnership structure and operational framework
The partnership leverages 2 Seas Motorsport as the operational partner, a proven entity with an extensive track record of success in GT World Challenge Europe. This collaboration mirrors the successful model established during the 2025 season, when the team competed in both the Sprint and Endurance Cups for the first time, using Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo machinery.
Mercedes customer racing head Stefan Wendl expressed enthusiasm for the arrangement, stating that the company is "delighted that Verstappen Racing has chosen to compete in the GT World Challenge Europe with a Mercedes-AMG GT3," emphasizing the "extremely ambitious and promising project" with "top-level participation in both the Sprint and Endurance programs."
Competitive driver roster
Verstappen Racing's 2026 lineup demonstrates the team's commitment to fielding competitive talent:
- Sprint Cup: Chris Lulham will share driving duties with Daniel Juncadella, Aston Martin's Formula 1 simulator driver, bringing both experience and professional racing pedigree to the campaign.
- Endurance Cup: Jules Gounon is set to join the roster, further strengthening the driver lineup. Gounon's extensive experience with Mercedes-AMG underscores the synergy of the partnership.
Beyond GT World Challenge: the Nurburgring 24 hours connection
The partnership signals Verstappen's broader ambitions in sportscar racing. Verstappen is understood to be eyeing an entry into the Nurburgring 24 Hours as a driver, with established Mercedes GT squad Winward understood to be his primary choice for the legendary Eifel circuit race. This potential involvement would represent another milestone in Verstappen's exploration of racing disciplines outside Formula 1.
The bigger picture
While speculation swirled regarding Verstappen's F1 future amid Mercedes rumors, this GT partnership demonstrates his multifaceted approach to motorsport engagement. Rather than a controversial switch at Formula 1's elite level, Verstappen's collaboration with Mercedes materializes through customer racing—a more practical and commercially viable avenue for the champion's competitive endeavors.