Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently highlighted the unique collaboration between Mercedes-AMG and Red Bull Racing through Max Verstappen’s involvement in GT endurance racing. Despite Verstappen’s ongoing Formula 1® contract with Red Bull, Wolff joked that Mercedes “already has” Verstappen for the demanding endurance events, referring to them as the “real hero races.”
During a media session at Zandvoort in August 2026, Wolff explained that Verstappen competes in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO car in endurance races such as the Nürburgring 24 Hours. This participation is part of a joint Red Bull-Mercedes GT racing project that allows Verstappen to race outside his Formula 1® commitments. Wolff praised the cooperation between the two teams, acknowledging Red Bull’s openness to this arrangement despite the usual exclusivity of Formula 1® contracts.
Wolff described endurance racing at the Nordschleife as especially challenging due to factors like continuous day and night running, fog, rain, ice, and the presence of many cars on track. He humorously contrasted these conditions with the more controlled environment of Formula 1® circuits and even mentioned a team running a Dacia Logan as “heroes” for taking on such a demanding race.
While Wolff did not rule out the possibility of future collaborations with Verstappen across different motorsport categories, he was clear that this does not necessarily imply Verstappen will race for Mercedes in Formula 1®. Instead, Mercedes is focusing on nurturing its own promising talent, such as junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is seen as a potential future star for the team.
Wolff also emphasized the importance of supporting drivers’ well-being and creating a framework that allows them to perform at their best. This includes giving drivers the freedom to pursue racing projects outside their primary commitments, as seen in Verstappen’s participation in endurance GT events with Mercedes.
This cooperation between Red Bull and Mercedes in GT racing showcases a more flexible approach to driver involvement beyond Formula 1®. It highlights how endurance racing remains a respected and demanding discipline within motorsport, attracting top-level drivers like Verstappen despite their primary focus on the Formula 1® championship.
Overall, Wolff’s comments underline the value Mercedes places on endurance racing and its willingness to collaborate with other teams to support drivers’ broader racing interests. At the same time, the team continues to invest in its own future through talents like Antonelli, balancing present opportunities with long-term development.