BREAKING: How Mercedes Finally Got Max Verstappen On Board… Read more

How Mercedes Finally Got Max Verstappen On Board 

 

 

By Hugo Harvey

March 1, 2026

 

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team have finally succeeded in bringing four-time world champion Max Verstappen into their fold – but not in the way many Formula 1 fans might have expected.

 

For the past two seasons, speculation had swirled around Verstappen’s future in F1, with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff making little secret of his admiration for the Dutchman. As uncertainty hovered over the long-term competitiveness of Red Bull Racing amid regulatory changes and internal shifts, Wolff publicly pursued Verstappen as a potential successor to Lewis Hamilton.

 

Despite the intense rumours, Verstappen consistently reaffirmed his loyalty to Red Bull. Last summer, he officially confirmed he would remain with the Milton Keynes-based squad through the 2026 season, reiterating that his contract runs until the end of 2028. That announcement effectively ended hopes of a blockbuster F1 switch to Mercedes – at least for now.

 

However, while Mercedes failed to secure Verstappen for its Formula 1 operation, the German manufacturer has now forged a significant partnership with the Dutchman away from the grand prix grid.

 

Verstappen’s GT3 outfit, previously known as Verstappen.com Racing, has signed a deal with Mercedes to run the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo from the 2026 season onward. The team will now compete under the official name Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, marking a major step forward in its GT racing ambitions.

 

The collaboration goes beyond a simple customer relationship. Mercedes-Benz Group has confirmed that the team has been granted official ‘performance team’ status – an honour reserved for only the most competitive and professionally run GT3 teams within the brand’s global customer racing structure. This recognition effectively integrates Verstappen’s operation into Mercedes-AMG’s elite GT racing ecosystem.

 

The move represents a significant shift for the team, which previously campaigned an Aston Martin GT3 car. By switching to the proven Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo platform, Verstappen Racing aligns itself with one of the most successful GT3 manufacturers of the modern era.

 

In 2025, the team competed in the GT World Challenge Europe and achieved notable success in the Gold Cup class. The driver trio of Thierry Vermeulen, Harry King, and Chris Lulham secured the Gold Cup title, underlining the project’s competitive credentials and ambition.

 

For 2026, however, Verstappen Racing is stepping up to the Pro Class in the GT World Challenge Europe – a move that signals the team’s intent to compete against the very best in endurance GT racing. The Pro Class features factory-supported entries and some of the strongest line-ups in global GT3 competition, making it a significant escalation in challenge and prestige.

 

Verstappen himself has long expressed a desire to see his team progress into the top category. While his primary focus remains Formula 1, GT and endurance racing have always been close to his heart. Known for his passion for sim racing and endurance events, the Dutchman has invested heavily in building a professional structure capable of long-term success.

 

Chris Lulham, a close friend of Verstappen and a former sim racing standout, will remain with the team as it transitions to Pro Class competition. Lulham’s development from virtual racing to top-tier GT3 machinery reflects Verstappen’s belief in nurturing talent from unconventional backgrounds.

 

Joining Lulham for the 2026 campaign will be Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon – two highly respected names in GT racing. Juncadella brings valuable experience with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 platform, having previously enjoyed success in various GT championships. Gounon, widely regarded as one of the finest GT3 drivers of his generation, adds proven pace and endurance pedigree to the line-up.

 

For Mercedes, the partnership delivers both sporting and marketing benefits. Aligning with the reigning F1 world champion’s personal racing project strengthens the brand’s connection to one of motorsport’s most marketable stars. While Verstappen remains firmly committed to Red Bull in Formula 1 – particularly as the team embarks on a new era of in-house power unit development in partnership with Ford – this GT3 collaboration creates a unique crossover between rival F1 ecosystems.

 

It also demonstrates Verstappen’s expanding footprint in motorsport beyond his own driving career. By elevating his team to Pro Class status with official factory backing, he signals a long-term vision that could extend well beyond his years in Formula 1.

 

In the end, Mercedes may not have secured Verstappen’s signature for its F1 car, but it has nonetheless brought him into the Mercedes family. In the competitive and commercially vital world of GT3 racing, that represents a notable coup – and perhaps a sign that in motorsport, alliances can form in the most unexpected places.

About The Author