How Max Verstappen pulls the strings for his GT3 team even on F1 weekends

Back in 2024, Red Bull banned Max Verstappen from taking part in sim racing events during Formula 1 weekends. But the Dutchman has since found a new side hustle.

These days, his focus often shifts hundreds of miles away in the evenings after F1 races to his own passion project: the Verstappen.com Racing GT3 team.

In the GT World Challenge Europe, Verstappen is far more than just the name above the door. As Daniel Juncadella – who will soon share a cockpit with Verstappen at the Nurburgring 24 Hours – revealed, the four-time World Champion is deeply embedded in the data analysis, even in the midst of his own grand prix weekends.

Verstappen brings a technical mindset to GT racing that is almost revolutionary for the paddock. "He has such a high technical approach. Things that are working in Formula 1 – he tries to bring that to GT3 racing," Juncadella told Motorsport.com Germany.

Juncadella, who contests the full GTWC Europe season alongside Verstappen’s sim-racing protege Chris Lulham (supported by Jules Gounon for the five Endurance rounds), described how Verstappen stays connected to his team.

"That’s what drives him. That’s his purpose right now, professionally," the Spaniard explained. "He’s even looking into our data from the Formula 1 weekends and says: 'Do this, do that!' It’s pretty cool to witness because it gives you a lot of motivation to excel as a racing driver. The level of passion he brings into this… I feel I need to be at my best to make him happy."

#3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO: Max Verstappen, Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon

Sometimes, however, the perfectionist goes a step too far. Juncadella admits with a smile: "Sometimes it’s a bit too much. I think this is over-engineering, and a car like this is quite simple in comparison.”

“So I tell him: 'Max, it’s GT racing, just don't go too much into detail.' But it’s good to have a different point of view. With a guy like this, it is not only his skills, but also his brain."

Having a driver of his calibre contribute his knowledge and passion provides a massive psychological boost. According to Juncadella, Verstappen is often more nervous watching his GTWC team than he is behind the wheel of his own Red Bull.

Mission Eifel: The AMG veteran’s secret weapon

The project’s next ultimate litmus test looms at the Nurburgring 24 Hours. Verstappen.com Racing will field a genuine "dream team" in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 operated by the experienced Winward squad: Verstappen himself, Juncadella, Gounon, and Lucas Auer.

Despite the Mercedes-AMG GT3 being effectively a decade old, the quartet sees a real path to victory in the "Green Hell." Juncadella points to the reliability and consistency of the platform:

"The car is very established. Even if we haven't been as successful lately at the Nurburgring 24h, you’re always in the mix with the AMG. You never see a race where you say we’re completely off. With this car, you always have a chance. It might not be easy, but the chance is there."

#3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO: Max Verstappen

Preparation on the Nordschleife was brief – Juncadella only managed to clock miles during the second race of the Nurburgring Endurance Series. However, the immense experience of the driver line-up combined with the almost clinical remote support from Verstappen could be the deciding factor.

Another beacon of hope is the car’s Balance of Performance (BoP). The Mercedes-AMG GT3’s air restrictors have grown to a record 2x 34.5 mm, while its weight has remained constant at 1,355 kg since the introduction of the Evo model in 2020.

The restrictor size has steadily increased from 2x 33 mm in 2020 to 2x 33.5 mm in 2021, reaching 2x 34 mm in 2022 – a value it held until 2025. This year, it is permitted to run at 2x 34.5 mm. Consequently, the total intake area has expanded from 1,710.6 mm² in 2020 to 1,869.7 mm² in 2026 – a 9.3% increase in surface area.

Of course, the AMG required a helping hand, given that an entire generation of new GT3 machinery from rival manufacturers has debuted since the 2020 update. But with the combination of Verstappen’s technical oversight, Winward Racing’s execution, and a favourable BoP, 2026 might finally be the year the veteran "star" shines brightest again.