Max Verstappen is considering exploring other motorsports, but he remains the biggest headline-maker in present-day F1.
The Dutchman could inspire an incredible collaboration between two F1 rivals. We’re talking a Red Bull livery on a Mercedes car, and Verstappen himself behind the wheel.
Max Verstappen’s Nürburgring Plan Sparks Rare Alliance Between F1 Heavyweights
If Verstappen decides to race in the 2026 24 Hours of Nürburgring, he could drive for Winward Racing. The team confirmed last week that it will compete in the iconic Nordschleife endurance classic this season, starting with a single Mercedes-AMG GT3.
However, if Verstappen chooses to enter the race, something he would only consider under specific conditions, a second Mercedes would be added to the lineup. That car would run in Red Bull colors, making it the first Mercedes to wear the livery of the Austrian F1 team’s long-time rival.
If the plan moves forward, Verstappen would team up with three top-level drivers: Jules Gounon, Dani Juncadella, and Lucas Auer, who finished second in the 2025 DTM championship. His protégé, Chris Lulham, would not be part of the crew.
It also came to light last week that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and the CEO of Mercedes-Benz personally asked the organizers of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) to reschedule at least one prep race for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
This move would let Verstappen participate and adequately prepare for the demanding endurance race in Germany’s Eifel region. Max Verstappen’s packed offseason schedule included a quick trip to Portimão for a Mercedes test.
The F1 grid had a short winter break before the hard work ahead of the 2026 rule change started again, with Red Bull already unveiling their new livery.
Soon, F1’s first test will kick off on January 26 in Barcelona, before a brief break followed by a return to the track at the Bahrain International Circuit for two separate three-day tests in February.
Before Red Bull’s Detroit launch, Verstappen was spotted elsewhere in Europe, testing a Mercedes-AMG GT3 at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão.
Social media car reviewer Ivo Matczak shared a video of the Red Bull-branded GT3 car speeding down the main straight, and, on closer look at a picture in the garage, it showed Verstappen’s number three on the side.
Verstappen even took a photo with Matczak, who wrote: “What a day! Finally had the chance to meet my long-time idol. Many people have been saying he’s not kind, but he doesn’t deserve any of it. Whoever says he is must have met a different Max, because this one is incredibly nice.”
“I met Max today at the Autodromo do Algarve during his testing in the Mercedes AMG-GT3 with Verstappen.com. Thank you very much Max! Hope to see you more often in the future!”
In 2025, it was announced that Verstappen’s sports car team, Verstappen Racing, had signed a multi-year deal with Mercedes-AMG from 2026, despite making his GT3 race debut with Ferrari at the Nordschleife.
Shortly after the 2025 season ended, Verstappen took to the Estoril circuit in Portugal behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3 from 2 Seas Motorsport, sparking talk about his endurance racing plans for 2026.
Questions remain about whether Verstappen will be able to compete at this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours, with all three NLS prep races and the 24-hour qualifiers clashing with the F1 schedule.
