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Verstappen urged to ditch Mercedes GT3 cars at Nordschleife

by sports••0
Verstappen urged to ditch Mercedes GT3 cars at Nordschleife
Juan Pablo Montoya believes Ford will not be too pleased to see Max Verstappen racing at the Nürburgring with Mercedes, with the American manufacturer having returned to Formula 1 this year alongside Red Bull.

The Dutchman switched to the German brand this year after racing at the Nürburgring with Ferrari in 2025, when he drove the 296 GT3 entered by Emil Frey Racing. In the events he has contested at the Green Hell so far this season, including the Nürburgring Qualifiers, the four-time world champion has shared driving duties with his teammates behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Speaking to a betting site, the Colombian admitted he would not be particularly pleased, from Ford’s perspective, to see Verstappen racing a Mercedes at the Nürburgring while effectively promoting a rival manufacturer. Montoya also suggested Red Bull and Ford would likely prefer the Dutchman to compete in a GT3 car linked to Ford rather than representing Mercedes machinery on track.

“If I were the big boss at Ford I wouldn’t be happy to see Verstappen at the Nurburgring advertising Mercedes. If I were Red Bull and Ford, I would pressure Max not to drive a Mercedes, but a Ford GT3 or something like that and if I were the great boss of Ford, I wouldn’t be happy if he were racing with Mercedes and advertising Mercedes.”

Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen names prestigious endurance race he wanted to enter

Verstappen had also made no secret of his desire to compete in the GTWC 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, with the Dutchman keen to expand his racing activities beyond Formula 1 whenever his schedule allows it. During media day in Miami, the four-time world champion explained that he would gladly take part in more endurance and GT events throughout the year, provided they do not overlap with his commitments in Formula 1.

A potential appearance at Spa-Francorchamps this season, however, has effectively been ruled out due to a calendar clash with Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix. The Red Bull Ring event, which marks the 10th round of the 2026 season, is scheduled for the very same weekend as the iconic 24-hour race at the end of June, making it impossible for Verstappen to compete in both events.