Max Verstappen Announces Mercedes News After Private Testing

The partnership, revealed via Verstappen.com, confirms that Verstappen Racing will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe from 2026 with Mercedes-AMG GT3, with the Dutchman also sharing the news on his Instagram story.

The program will include entries in both Sprint and Endurance Cup competitions, marking a significant step in Verstappen’s growing involvement beyond Formula 1.

Verstappen’s announcement follows a period of GT testing, during which he was spotted running Mercedes-AMG GT3 machinery at Estoril in a private setting earlier this month.

The test came ahead of Verstappen Racing’s decision to switch manufacturers for its GT program, moving away from Aston Martin, their 2025 GT racing partner.

Notably, the Dutchman himself won his GT3 debut earlier this year in a Ferrari 296 GT3 for Emil Frey Racing in the NLS series, underlining the competitive foundation behind the project before the shift to Mercedes-AMG.

Max Verstappen Is Not Leaving Red Bull

While the announcement is unrelated to his Red Bull contract, the Mercedes branding immediately sparked discussion due to Verstappen’s comments made earlier this month about weighing broader factors beyond F1 when considering his future.

However, this collaboration sits firmly within GT racing and Verstappen’s personal racing projects, rather than F1 competition.

Verstappen has previously emphasized his interest in endurance racing and team ownership, positioning Verstappen Racing as a long-term venture that extends his career beyond the F1 paddock.

The Mercedes deal aligns with that vision, providing factory-level support for the next phase of the project.

Despite the optics, there is no indication the move impacts Verstappen’s current Red Bull role, with the Dutchman remaining fully committed to F1 as he prepares for the sport’s 2026 regulation reset.