If Verstappen races at the 2026 Nürburgring, he might do it with Winward Racing in a Red Bull-branded Mercedes.
Winward Racing announced last week they’re entering the legendary Nordschleife endurance race this season with one Mercedes-AMG GT3. But there’s more to the story.
If Max decides to join the race, they’d add a second car just for him.
The weird part? This Mercedes would wear Red Bull colors – something that would raise eyebrows given the bitter rivalry between the two brands in Formula 1.
Verstappen wouldn’t be alone in the car. He’d share driving duties with three proven stars: Jules Gounon, Dani Juncadella, and Lucas Auer, who finished second in this year’s DTM championship.
His protégé Chris Lulham won’t be part of the team, though.
This setup would give Max the chance to properly prepare for the grueling 24-hour race around the treacherous Nürburgring circuit – often called the “Green Hell” for its challenging nature.
The race, held in Germany’s mountainous Eifel region, is considered one of motorsport’s toughest tests, with its unpredictable weather and demanding 15.8-mile track combining both the Nordschleife and GP circuits.
Max has shown interest in expanding his racing beyond F1, but he’s only likely to do this under specific conditions that fit with his F1 commitments.
