Max Verstappen was once again in action in a GT3 car. Around a week after the Formula 1 season finale, the four-time world champion completed test drives in Estoril, Portugal. Verstappen drove a Mercedes-AMG GT3.
The car was entered by 2 Seas Motorsport, a team that already worked for Verstappen.com Racing last season. In the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, the team looked after the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in which Chris Lulham, Thierry Vermeulen and Harry King won the Gold Cup title.
The test in Estoril fuels speculation about a possible involvement of Verstappen.com Racing in the GT World Challenge Europe from 2026 with a Mercedes-AMG GT3. Rumors to this effect have been circulating in the paddock for some time. The current test drives are seen as a further indication of this option.
During the test session, two Mercedes-AMG GT3s in the Verstappen.com Racing livery were out on track. The cars bore the starting numbers 33 and 333.
Max Verstappen was supported by Mercedes-AMG works driver Jules Gounon during the drives. The Frenchman is one of the most successful GT drivers of recent years, winning the 2022 Spa 24 Hours and the 2022 and 2023 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup titles, among others. Gounon also completed his first full DTM season in the 2025 season.
It remains unclear whether Max Verstappen will compete in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring and, if so, in which car. He clearly won his first GT3 race in the Nürburgring endurance series in September in the Ferrari 296 GT3. There have recently been indications that a start in the endurance classic may not take place until 2027, as Verstappen is focusing on the new Formula 1 regulations in 2026. However, the current testing activities could influence this planning once again.