Verstappen Racing Partners with Mercedes-AMG for 2026 GT3 Season

Max Verstappen's eponymous GT3 team, Verstappen Racing, is set to partner with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport from the 2026 season. The multi-year agreement will see the team campaign the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in both the Sprint and Endurance Cups of the GT World Challenge Europe. This collaboration with a top manufacturer, supported by experienced factory drivers, signals a significant and ambitious step forward for the reigning F1 World Champion's racing operation.

Why it matters:

This partnership elevates Verstappen Racing beyond a simple privateer team, aligning it with a major manufacturer and providing access to factory-level support and technology. For Max Verstappen, it's a strategic expansion of his personal brand into the top echelons of GT3 racing, showcasing a long-term vision for his racing legacy beyond Formula 1. The collaboration also strengthens Mercedes-AMG's customer racing roster by adding a high-profile, ambitious project to its lineup.

The details:

• The Program: Verstappen Racing will compete in both the Sprint and Endurance Cups of the GT World Challenge Europe using the Mercedes-AMG GT3, with operations handled by the experienced 2 Seas Motorsport.
  • The operational partner is a crucial element, as 2 Seas Motorsport has a proven track record and multiple championship titles with the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
• Sprint Cup Lineup: Chris Lulham, who raced with the team in 2025, will be joined by Mercedes-AMG factory driver Daniel Juncadella. The duo will share the car across all five Sprint Cup rounds.
• Endurance Cup Lineup: For the five endurance rounds, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Spa, the trio will be Lulham, Juncadella, and fellow Mercedes-AMG Performance driver Jules Gounon.
• Factory Backing: The involvement of two Mercedes-AMG factory drivers (Juncadella and Gounon) underscores the manufacturer's commitment to the project and provides the team with top-tier talent and technical insight.

What's next:

With the pieces now in place, all eyes will be on Verstappen Racing's performance when the 2026 season kicks off. The combination of Mercedes-AMG's factory backing, the operational expertise of 2 Seas Motorsport, and a driver lineup packed with GT3 experience creates a project poised for immediate success. The team will be aiming not just to compete, but to challenge for race wins and championships from the outset, though expectations will be sky-high given the Verstappen name attached.