Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing has been granted full approval by his team to compete in the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours, underlining a flexible approach to off-calendar racing activities.
The decision was confirmed by team principal Laurent Mekies, who stated that Red Bull required no persuasion to allow its lead driver to participate in the endurance event. In modern Formula 1, driver contracts typically include strict clauses limiting external racing due to risk exposure, yet Verstappen’s case reflects a notably different stance.
Mekies emphasised that Verstappen’s passion for motorsport played a decisive role in the approval, highlighting that his involvement in additional racing disciplines has previously delivered positive effects on his Formula 1 performance.
“He doesn’t need to convince us. You just need to speak with Max for a few minutes, and you see how his face lights up when he talks about racing,” Mekies explained.
“It doesn’t matter what type of car. We saw it last year. You would think it takes energy from him, but in fact he comes back to the racetrack with even more energy.”
Verstappen is set to compete in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo backed by Red Bull, a combination that reflects the cross-manufacturer dynamics often seen in endurance racing. His participation follows earlier test outings, which had already indicated a strong likelihood of a full entry in one of the most demanding races on the global motorsport calendar.
From the driver’s perspective, Verstappen reiterated that he does not intend to confine his career solely to Formula 1. Instead, he views this stage of his career as the optimal window to explore other racing categories, including endurance competition.
“It’s one of the best races in the world and one of the best tracks,” Verstappen said.
“In a GT car, for me, that’s the perfect speed around there. If you go faster, it can become quite dangerous in certain places.”
He also pointed to a long-standing interest in endurance racing, shaped by his early exposure through his father’s involvement in similar events. For Verstappen, the decision represents a strategic extension of his motorsport trajectory rather than a short-term diversion.
“I don’t need to be only a Formula 1 driver. I can do other things. I’ve been here for a long time and achieved what I wanted, so I want to explore other opportunities now, not when I’m 40,” he added.
From a team management perspective, Red Bull’s approval signals a high level of trust in Verstappen’s professionalism and ability to manage the physical and operational demands of competing across disciplines. This contrasts with the more conservative policies typically applied to lead drivers within top-tier Formula 1 teams.
Verstappen’s entry into the Nurburgring 24 Hours is expected to draw significant attention, given his status as one of the sport’s leading figures. It also reinforces the growing intersection between Formula 1 and endurance racing, particularly as drivers increasingly seek diversified competitive experiences.
With an increasingly dense Formula 1 calendar, the move suggests that both Verstappen and Red Bull are adopting a broader strategic outlook on driver development and engagement. Focus will now turn to how effectively he balances his Formula 1 commitments with the unique demands of a 24-hour endurance race, especially as the championship battle progresses into its next critical phase.
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