Max Verstappen has officially confirmed that he will not take part in any further endurance races this year. The Dutch driver explained that after completing the remaining Formula 1 Grands Prix, he will take a well-deserved rest. However, the winter months will not be idle, as he intends to work behind the scenes to prepare his GT3 project. The main focus will be to select the right car, define the lineup of drivers, and reorganize his Verstappen.com Racing team ahead of a planned return to the Nürburgring in 2026.
From Formula 1 to GT3 passion
Verstappen has already arrived in Singapore, where he will once again take on his usual role as Red Bull Racing driver in the upcoming Grand Prix weekend. But the buzz in the paddock at Marina Bay still revolves around his remarkable victory at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife just a week ago.
That triumph, achieved in his very first GT3 endurance outing, immediately captured widespread attention—not only among casual followers of the category, but also among experienced insiders and professionals in the endurance racing scene. The Dutchman’s success generated curiosity about how his long-term commitments outside Formula 1 might evolve.
Beyond the result itself, it is clear that Verstappen is laying the foundation for future racing ambitions, fueled by his passion for motorsport as a whole. His victory with teammate Chris Lulham, driving the Ferrari 296 GT3 #31 prepared by Emil Frey Racing, has added momentum to his plans.
Verstappen reflects on Nürburgring success
Speaking in the press conference held on Thursday at Marina Bay, Verstappen recounted his experience at the Nordschleife:
“It was a lot of fun. I had been preparing for quite some time and those two days were really special. Once again, we raced in both wet and dry conditions, gaining more and more experience. Of course, winning was a bonus, but I wouldn’t say it made me a better driver for Formula 1. After all, I’ve been doing this for years, and I had driven the Nordschleife many times on the simulator, so doing it for real wasn’t that different for me. But in terms of training, it’s never a bad thing.”
He also described the atmosphere around the event: “All the drivers were very kind, but I don’t feel or behave any differently with them. We had a lot of fun together. There were so many fans under the podium, around the garages, and on the track, even before the race. In general, it’s fantastic to see so much passion, and I think German fans and endurance enthusiasts are always present at this kind of event. I’ve seen it in the past and I’m really happy they came to support us. I believe this movement can only grow from here.”
Restructuring Verstappen.com Racing
Now Verstappen will dedicate part of his winter to reorganizing Verstappen.com Racing, his personal team. The squad already competes in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with an Aston Martin, while the team’s drivers Chris Lulham and Thierry Vermeulen recently secured the Gold Cup title in the Sprint Series, driving the Ferrari 296 GT3 run by Emil Frey Racing.
The door remains open for Verstappen to contest more GT3 or closed-wheel events, but not during 2025, as he evaluates how to balance them against the already packed Formula 1 calendar. The 2025 season will also mark the debut of new-generation F1 cars, which adds another layer of uncertainty to his commitments.
A pause before 2026
“Now I will take a small break,” Verstappen explained. “After this weekend, it will have been six consecutive weekends in which I raced somewhere, which is really a lot.”
Looking ahead, the Dutchman said: “For the future, much will depend on what happens in Formula 1 and which manufacturer we will run with in GT3. With the new 2026 F1 regulations, things will probably be very complicated at first, with many unknowns, so everything could become even more chaotic. For our GT3 team we need to decide which car we will use, and we still have a lot of things to define before we can plan in detail which drivers will be part of the team and what I will be able to do myself.”
Despite the uncertainties, Max Verstappen was clear about one ambition: “One thing is certain: we want to return to the Nordschleife. For now, I don’t know how many races I’ll be able to do next year. If there’s an opportunity and I feel ready, regardless of what happens in Formula 1, then I will definitely be there.”
GT3 as Verstappen’s long-term future
As a final note, Verstappen admitted that GT3 endurance racing could well become his career path once his Formula 1 adventure comes to an end.
“Of course, Formula 1 remains my main commitment and it has many races, but it’s what I signed up for, so it doesn’t bother me and it doesn’t make me unhappy. But I also know it won’t be my world forever, so my responsibility is to make sure the GT3 team is fully operational. I want the guys to be ready, and for me it’s quite simple: if I want to race, I will. I think it’s clear to everyone that 24 Formula 1 races are a lot, and sometimes you miss out on other important events. But at the same time, I’m still very young, so I can make up for those kinds of races later.”
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