The deal would see Verstappen’s team run Mercedes-AMG GT3 machinery in the GT World Challenge Europe from 2026, marking a switch away from Aston Martin. The move follows Verstappen testing a Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Estoril, a detail that has been cited in connection with the reported agreement.

The partnership would see Verstappen Racing continue competing in the GT World Challenge Europe, where the team expanded its activities ahead of the 2025 season.

That expansion marked Verstappen Racing’s first entry into both the Sprint and Endurance Cups, supporting 2 Seas Motorsport. In the Endurance Cup, Thierry Vermeulen, Chris Lulham and Harry King shared driving duties aboard an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo.

Alongside that programme, Vermeulen and Lulham also contested the Sprint Cup, driving a Ferrari 296 GT3 for Emil Frey Racing.

According to reports, Verstappen Racing would continue in both Sprint and Endurance categories under the Mercedes partnership, fielding a single Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Chris Lulham is expected to compete in the Sprint Cup alongside Daniel Juncadella, Aston Martin’s Formula 1 simulator driver. For the Endurance Cup, Jules Gounon is reportedly set to join the line-up.

Reacting to the project, Mercedes-AMG customer racing boss Stefan Wendl said: “We are delighted that Verstappen Racing has chosen to field a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the GT World Challenge Europe.

"Accordingly, we are very pleased about this extremely ambitious and promising project, as well as about another high-calibre entry in both the Sprint and Endurance programmes of the GT World Challenge Europe,” Wendl concluded.

Verstappen discussed Red Bull’s first in-house 2026 power unit on the Talking Bulls podcast, joking that “it makes a noise” before saying it sounded “crisp” on the dyno. Read his full comments here.

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