Verstappen Racing has introduced a multi-year collaboration with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, beginning subsequent 12 months.
Verstappen Racing will proceed within the 2026 GT World Problem Europe powered by AWS, which, with the brand new programme, highlights the subsequent chapter within the Verstappen Racing mission.
„We’re delighted that Verstappen Racing has chosen to area a Mercedes-AMG GT3 within the GT World Problem Europe,“ stated Stefan Wendl, Mercedes-AMG Buyer Racing. „With 2 Seas Motorsport, the mission is supported by a extremely skilled crew that has already achieved quite a few successes and championship titles with our automotive.
„Accordingly, we’re more than happy about this extraordinarily formidable and promising mission, in addition to about one other high-calibre entry in each the Dash and Endurance programmes of the GT World Problem Europe.“
Chris Lulham will proceed in 2026 along with his racing programme within the GT World Problem Europe Dash Cup (GT World Dash), marking his second season within the collection, the place he can be partnered by his new teammate Daniel Juncadella.
The 34-year-old Spanish driver has numerous expertise, additionally racing in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, to convey to the crew. The pair will share the automotive, run by the two Seas Motorsport crew, within the 5 rounds of the dash championship, racing on among the most iconic and historic circuits in Europe.
„It’s actually thrilling to proceed racing within the GT World Problem Europe, now with a brand new teammate and new automotive,“ stated Lulham. „I’ve realized and skilled quite a bit in my first 12 months of GT3, and it is an unbelievable alternative to now be capable to work with such professionals as Mercedes-AMG and Daniel. I can not wait to get began.“
„I am excited to be partnering up with Chris within the upcoming season,“ added Juncadella, „and grateful to Verstappen Racing to be partnering up with Mercedes-AMG. With the enter that Max brings to the desk, it is a actually sturdy mission.“
Verstappen Racing will even proceed supporting an entry into the extremely aggressive GT World Problem Europe Endurance Cup (GT World Endurance), the place Lulham and Juncadella will share the cockpit of the Mercedes with Jules Gounon, throughout the 5 rounds of the extremely anticipated championship, which incorporates flagship races such because the 24 Hours of Spa.
„As I’ve labored for years with Mercedes-AMG, it’s simply nice to now proceed to construct on that have, along with Verstappen Racing, Chris and Dani,“ stated Gounon. „It’s a unbelievable mission that has all of the components to make it a hit. I stay up for working collectively.“
The announcement comes at a time Max Verstappen confirmed that he did maintain talks Mercedes about the potential for becoming a member of the F1 crew.
„I am not going to lie,“ he advised the BBC. „For positive, there have been talks, however on the similar time, it was all very pleasant and open. Nothing greater than that.
„For me, it is not solely about F1,“ he continued. „There’s numerous issues which have to come back collectively for me to make a change. Future roles, stuff like that. So if I ever would make a change, in fact, it is a large one for me as a result of this undoubtedly looks like a second household, and that is not simple to copy, for example, like that.
„The change, if I might ever make one, it is not solely as a result of I would like a quicker F1 automotive or I would like a distinction within the setting,“ he insisted. „There’s numerous issues which can be round my F1 profession and issues that I am doing exterior of F1 that every one have to come back collectively.“
After all, in September the four-time world champion gained on his personal GT3 debut on the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Requested why he felt the necessity to race in different classes alongside his F1 commitments, he stated he was „at all times attempting to search for particulars, attempting to only be taught concerning the automotive, study your self, do numerous issues additionally exterior of F1“.
„I am driving, in fact, numerous completely different vehicles, exterior which I do not suppose it hurts you, racing in F1,“ he continued. „So, yeah, simply attempting to make your self a bit extra of an entire driver, a bit extra all-round.“
Image Credit score: David Klopman / Verstappen.com
