Verstappen races a Mercedes despite Red Bull F1 ties: inside his GT3 team

News Summary

• Verstappen Racing competes with a Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, following a multi-year partnership announced for 2026.
• 2 Seas Motorsport operates the GT World Challenge Europe programme, with Verstappen involved in technical and sporting decisions.
• Verstappen will personally race the #3 Mercedes at Portimão on October 17, alongside Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat.

Max Verstappen is preparing to race a Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO for his own Verstappen Racing team at the GT World Challenge Europe finale in Portimão, Portugal, on Saturday, October 17, adding another chapter to his expanding activities outside Formula 1.

Although the Dutchman drives for Red Bull in F1, his GT racing operation has a multi-year partnership with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, competing in both the Sprint Cup and Endurance Cup of GT World Challenge Europe.

The programme is operated by 2 Seas Motorsport, an established GT racing organisation responsible for preparing the cars, managing race operations and providing technical support.

Verstappen’s appearance at Portimão will bring him directly into a championship where his team has competed throughout the season, with the four-time world champion sharing the #3 Mercedes with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat.

What is Verstappen Racing?

Verstappen Racing is Max Verstappen’s motorsport project outside Formula 1, created to support drivers and compete in professional GT racing.

The operation has developed from Verstappen’s involvement in sim racing, particularly through Team Redline, into a programme that combines virtual competition, driver development and real-world endurance racing.

One of its central figures is Chris Lulham, a British driver who progressed through professional sim racing before establishing himself in GT competition.

The project allows Verstappen to support emerging talent while participating in a different form of motorsport from Formula 1.

Verstappen Racing is not a second Formula 1 team. It is a separate GT racing operation that competes in championships organised under the GT3 regulations.

Its activities include both short-format sprint races and longer endurance events, where several drivers share the same car.

Why does Verstappen Racing use a Mercedes?

Verstappen Racing announced a multi-year collaboration with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport for the 2026 season, replacing the combination of Aston Martin and Ferrari machinery previously used in its GT programmes.

In 2025, the team competed with an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the Sprint Cup, while Lulham participated in the Endurance Cup with a Ferrari 296 GT3 entered by Emil Frey Racing.

The move to Mercedes established a more unified programme for 2026, with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO competing in both GT World Challenge Europe divisions.

The decision also brought the team into Mercedes-AMG’s customer-racing structure, providing access to technical support and an established platform.

Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing chief Stefan Wendl welcomed the collaboration, highlighting 2 Seas Motorsport’s experience and previous success with the manufacturer’s GT3 machinery.

The partnership is separate from Verstappen’s Formula 1 commitments with Red Bull Racing, which competes with its own power-unit programme.

The Mercedes connection concerns GT racing rather than Formula 1, allowing Verstappen to develop his endurance project independently of the team he represents in the world championship.

What car does Verstappen Racing use?

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The Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO is a competition car derived from the Mercedes-AMG GT sports-car platform.

Unlike a Formula 1 car, it features an enclosed cockpit, a front-mounted V8 engine and bodywork based on a production sports car.

The GT3 regulations allow manufacturers to develop racing versions of road-going performance cars, with their competitiveness managed through a Balance of Performance system.

That system can adjust parameters such as weight and power output to reduce performance differences between models.

The Mercedes also features racing aerodynamics, specialised suspension, slick tyres and safety equipment designed for endurance competition.

The #3 car competes in the Pro class, which permits a line-up of professional drivers and allows the team to challenge for overall victories.

Who runs Verstappen Racing during race weekends?

Although the team carries Verstappen’s name, its GT World Challenge Europe entries are operated by 2 Seas Motorsport, an Anglo-Bahraini organisation with extensive experience in GT competition.

The team is led by Nick Cristofaro, who has a long-standing relationship with Verstappen.

2 Seas Motorsport provides the infrastructure required to compete, including engineering personnel, mechanics, race strategy, pit-stop operations and logistical support.

The arrangement allows Verstappen Racing to benefit from an established racing organisation while maintaining its own identity and driver-development objectives.

Verstappen remains closely involved in the programme even when his Formula 1 schedule prevents him from attending races.

During the 2026 Spa 24 Hours weekend, Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing chief Stefan Wendl explained that the Dutchman participated in the team’s technical discussions and remained integrated into its structure.

Dani Juncadella has also described Verstappen as actively involved in decisions rather than simply allowing another organisation to use his name.

Who normally drives for Verstappen Racing?

The regular 2026 line-up includes Chris Lulham, Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon.

In the Sprint Cup, Lulham shares the Mercedes with Juncadella, while Gounon joins the pair for Endurance Cup races.

Juncadella and Gounon bring extensive experience in professional GT competition, including major endurance races and manufacturer-backed programmes.

The arrangement provides Lulham with experienced teammates as he continues developing his career.

At Portimão, however, the line-up will change because Juncadella and Gounon have commitments in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Verstappen and Ben Barnicoat will replace the regular drivers, joining Lulham for the three-hour race.

The full profiles of Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat, Verstappen’s GT3 teammates at Portimão, explain their backgrounds and experience.

How competitive has Verstappen Racing been in 2026?

Verstappen Racing has already demonstrated its ability to challenge established endurance teams.

The programme came close to victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours in May, where Verstappen, Juncadella, Lucas Auer and Gounon were running competitively before a driveshaft problem ended their chances during the final stages.

The setback was particularly disappointing because the team had remained in contention for victory deep into the race.

Verstappen Racing subsequently entered the Spa 24 Hours with Juncadella, Gounon and Lulham, continuing its participation in major international GT events.

The programme has also competed throughout the GT World Challenge Europe season, gaining experience with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO across different circuits and race formats.

When will Verstappen race for his own team?

Verstappen will join the GT World Challenge Europe grid at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão on Saturday, October 17.

The race is scheduled to begin at 17:00 local time in Portugal, corresponding to 13:00 in Brasília and 12:00 on the United States East Coast.

The Dutchman will share driving duties with Lulham and Barnicoat during the three-hour event, which concludes the Endurance Cup season.

For the complete programme, read where Max Verstappen is racing this weekend and the Portimão schedule.

GRANDE PRÊMIO will broadcast the GT World Challenge Europe event live on GPTV and YouTube, including practice, qualifying and Saturday’s race. Coverage of the race is scheduled to begin at 12:30 Brasília time, 30 minutes before the start.

The event will be available through the GPTV YouTube channel, subject to broadcast availability in each territory.