Red Bull, Ferrari… Mercedes Next? Max Verstappen Eyes Historic First At Nürburgring 24 Hours

Last Updated:May 17, 2026, 15:46 IST

Verstappen is chasing history at the Nürburgring, where victory could make him the first F1 driver to win the iconic endurance race after winning the World Championship.

“I don’t need to be only an F1 driver, I can also do other things."

That was Max Verstappen’s message to the motorsport world earlier this year. And now, the four-time Formula 1 world champion stands on the brink of making racing history far beyond the F1 grid.

Verstappen is currently competing in the legendary Nürburgring 24 Hours, one of endurance racing’s toughest and most unforgiving events.

But this isn’t just another side quest for the Red Bull ace — a win here would place him in a unique category of modern motorsport greatness.

Verstappen Eyeing Unprecedented History

The Dutchman has already won in F1 machinery with Red Bull Racing. He also claimed victory in GT3 competition driving a Ferrari 296 GT3 last year.

Now, racing a Mercedes-AMG GT3 at the Nürburgring, Verstappen has the chance to become one of the first modern-era drivers to win races in Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes machinery.

Wins across different disciplines with three iconic manufacturers, respectively. That’s just unheard of.

But, it doesn’t end there.

If Verstappen and his team get the job done today, the Dutchman would also become the first F1 driver to win the Nürburgring 24 Hours after securing the World Championship. (Niki Lauda won the event in 1973 BEFORE becoming an F1 champion)

Max’s Unquenched Thirst 

For Verstappen, this growing obsession with endurance racing feels less like a distraction and more like the natural next step.

“I’ve done this already for a while, achieved everything I want to achieve," Verstappen explained recently.

“That’s why I want to explore other things and I don’t want to do them when I’m 40 years old. Now is the perfect age to do it."

The 28-year-old has spent months preparing for the challenge, making multiple appearances at the fearsome Nordschleife circuit, nicknamed “The Green Hell" by Jackie Stewart.

Earlier this year, Verstappen even won an NLS GT3 race at the venue before his team was later disqualified because of a tyre allocation infringement.

Now, with teammates Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer alongside him in the Mercedes-AMG GT3, Verstappen is looking to add yet another extraordinary chapter in his illustrious career so far.

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