Mercedes submit Max Verstappen request as ‘diabolical’ team switch R…read more
Mercedes have reportedly stepped into the spotlight after submitting an unusual request that could reshape the early weeks of the 2026 motorsport calendar, all in a bid to accommodate Max Verstappen’s racing ambitions beyond Formula 1.
According to multiple reports, the German manufacturer has asked organisers of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) to consider postponing the opening round of the season. The motivation behind the request is clear: to allow Verstappen the opportunity to compete in endurance racing without clashing with his full-time Formula 1 commitments at Red Bull.
While Verstappen is set to embark on another relentless F1 campaign in 2026 — with a 24-race calendar once again stretching teams and drivers to their limits — the reigning multiple-time world champion has shown no desire to restrict himself solely to grand prix racing. The Dutchman has long been open about his passion for endurance racing and sim racing, and the iconic Nürburgring 24 Hours sits high on his personal bucket list.
The complication lies in scheduling. The opening NLS race, traditionally used as crucial preparation for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, is currently slated for the same weekend as the Chinese Grand Prix. That clash would make it impossible for Verstappen to participate, given his contractual obligations to Red Bull in Formula 1.
Enter Mercedes-AMG.
Despite Verstappen being firmly tied to Red Bull in F1, reports suggest Mercedes-AMG is poised to support his endurance racing ambitions by providing machinery for a potential Nürburgring 24 Hours entry. As part of that effort, senior Mercedes figures are believed to have formally requested a date change for the NLS opener, a move that has raised eyebrows across the paddock and been described by some insiders as a “diabolical” twist given the fierce rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull at the top level of Formula 1.
The irony has not gone unnoticed. Mercedes and Red Bull have been locked in political and sporting battles for over a decade, most notably during the intense championship fights of the early 2020s. Yet here they are, indirectly aligned by circumstance, with Mercedes seeking flexibility that would ultimately benefit a Red Bull driver.
From Verstappen’s perspective, the arrangement makes sense. The Nürburgring 24 Hours is one of the most demanding endurance races in the world, and participation without adequate preparation would be risky. Completing at least one NLS round beforehand is widely regarded as essential, especially for drivers transitioning from single-seaters to GT3 machinery on the unforgiving Nordschleife.
Sources close to the situation indicate that Verstappen is keen to approach the challenge seriously, rather than treating it as a novelty appearance. His reported collaboration with Mercedes-AMG would give him access to one of the most competitive GT3 platforms on the grid, further underlining his commitment to performing at a high level.
Whether the request will be granted remains uncertain. Moving an NLS race is no small matter, involving broadcasters, teams, organisers and local authorities. There is also the broader question of precedent — altering a championship calendar to accommodate a driver who is not a full-season NLS competitor could prove controversial.
Still, Verstappen’s star power is undeniable. His presence alone would bring unprecedented attention to the series and the Nürburgring 24 Hours, something organisers may find difficult to ignore.
As the 2026 season edges closer, this unexpected crossover between Formula 1 politics and endurance racing continues to gather momentum. If approved, Mercedes’ request could pave the way for one of the most talked-about appearances in modern endurance racing — and another chapter in Max Verstappen’s ever-expanding racing legacy.
