Verstappen expands GT ambitions with Mercedes-AMG partnership

Max Verstappen’s GT outfit – Verstappen Racing – has confirmed its headline-grabbing partnership with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, marking a major step in the expansion of its GT programme.

The deal will see the four-time F1 world champion’s team field a Mercedes-AMG GT3, run by 2 Seas Motorsport, in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS.

The move was highly anticipated after Verstappen was seen testing a Mercedes GT3 car draped in his team’s colors around Estoril in Portugal two weeks ago.

A Silver Star Joins the Verstappen Stable

Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing is clearly delighted to welcome Verstappen’s operation into the fold.

“We are delighted that Verstappen Racing has chosen to field a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the GT World Challenge Europe,” said Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing.

“With 2 Seas Motorsport, the project is supported by a highly experienced team that has already achieved numerous successes and championship titles with our car.

“Accordingly, we are very pleased about this extremely ambitious and promising project, as well as about another high-calibre entry in both the Sprint and Endurance programmes of the GT World Challenge Europe.”

On track, the line-up has a fresh look. Chris Lulham will contest the five-round Sprint Cup alongside Daniel Juncadella, while Jules Gounon joins the pair for the five-race Endurance Cup.

Juncadella and Gounon arrive as new faces, replacing Harry King and Thierry Vermeulen in Verstappen’s evolving GT effort.

• Read also: Verstappen on track at Estoril with… Mercedes!

For Lulham, the switch represents a major milestone in his young GT career.

“It is really exciting to continue racing in the GT World Challenge Europe, now with a new teammate and new car,” said Lulham.

“I have learned and experienced a lot in my first year of GT3 racing, and it’s an unbelievable opportunity to now be able to work with such professionals as Mercedes-AMG Motorsport and Daniel. I can’t wait to get started.”

With a proven team, a formidable driver line-up and one of the most successful GT3 cars on the planet, Verstappen Racing’s latest move looks anything but casual.

And while this partnership is firmly rooted in GT racing… well, let’s just say that silver has always looked rather good on champions — even the ones currently wearing Red Bull blue.

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