Winward “Would ‘Love” Chance to Run Verstappen in Rolex 24

Photo: Philippe Nanchino/MPS Agency

Winward Racing team owner Russell Ward said he would seize the opportunity to run Max Verstappen in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the future, should the Formula 1 superstar decide to expand his endurance racing efforts.

The four-time F1 world champion is set to contest this weekend’s Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie round at the wheel of a Winward-run Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo under the Verstappen Racing banner, as a precursor to the Dutchman’s highly anticipated Nürburgring 24 debut in May.

It was announced earlier this month that Verstappen will share the Mercedes-AMG in the Eifel endurance classic with factory drivers Jules Gounon, Lucas Auer as well as Dani Juncadella, in a lineup that’s expected to fight for overall honors.

Winward’s Germany-based operation is widely regarded as one the top Mercedes-AMG teams in the region and has claimed multiple GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS titles, while also competing in DTM.

“It’s pretty incredible,” Ward told Sportscar365. “He’s widely considered the top driver in the world and it’s really cool that he’s coming to our playground to check out what endurance racing is like.

“It’s a testament to the group we have over in Europe and here in the United States. It’s a strong group of passionate people that want to get the best product out there.

“I think he can see that and that’s what attracted him to us.”

While Verstappen Racing’s GTWC Europe effort this year will be run by 2 Seas Motorsport, the 28-year-old has publicly expressed interest in contesting other iconic endurance races in the future, including the Rolex 24 and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Ward, whose Houston-based outfit is the two-time and defending IMSA GTD champions, and is coming off its third Rolex 24 class win in the last five years, said he would jump at the chance to run a potential Mercedes-AMG entry for Verstappen in the Florida endurance classic.

It’s understood Verstappen has signed a multi-year contract with Mercedes-AMG for his sports car racing endeavors, although it’s not linked to a specific team, hence the split effort this year between Winward and 2 Seas.

“I would love to be the team he chooses,” said Ward if Verstappen decides to race in the Rolex 24. “He has his pick of the litter, so he can choose what he wants.

“It’s our job just to make sure that we put together the best program we possibly can [for the Nürburgring 24] and maybe we can get people like him to choose to want to drive with us.

“I would love the opportunity. We definitely have the capacity and the desire to do it.”

When asked if there has been any active discussions about a potential Rolex 24 effort for as early as next year, Ward said: “Right now, we’re just focused on NLS.

“That’s our first opportunity to provide him with a really good machine.”

Winward Eyeing Second Mercedes-AMG for Endurance Cup, Full Season in 2027

Winward, which operates as a multi-car squad in Europe, fielded a second Mercedes-AMG for the first time in January’s Rolex 24, which finished third in the GTD Pro ranks with drivers Maxime Martin, Luca Stolz, Jason Hart and Scott Noble.

Ward confirmed that program will conclude following this weekend’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring but is hopeful of putting a larger deal together for next year.

“As far as right now that will be it for the year,” he said. “That was the agreement that we had discussed, was to run those two races.

“I’m definitely interested in doing more but really that’s all we prepared for this year.

“My goal is to have at least the second car do the [Michelin Endurance Cup] at bare minimum or possibly a full season if that opportunity presents itself.

“Definitely, we’ve got the capacity to run two of these GT3 cars in IMSA and that’s where we want to be.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John