Verstappen Racing Switches to Mercedes-AMG

Verstappen Racing will make the switch to Mercedes-AMG machinery as part of a newly announced multi-year partnership, which will see the Max Verstappen-owned operation continue to compete in GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS.

The team’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, which Verstappen recently tested at Estoril, will again be operated by 2 Seas Motorsport.

This past season, 2 Seas ran the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo that Chris Lulham, Harry King and Thierry Vermeulen took to a Gold Cup class victory in the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa as well as an Endurance Cup title.

Lulham will remain part of the team’s driver lineup, tackling the full GTWC Europe season with Daniel Juncadella. Mercedes-AMG factory driver Jules Gounon, meanwhile, will complete the lineup for the Endurance Cup rounds

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

“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-caliber entry in both the Sprint and Endurance programs of the GT World Challenge Europe.”

Previously, Emil Frey Racing ran a Ferrari 296 GT3 for Lulham and Vermeulen in the Sprint Cup rounds.

“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.”

Newly signed Genesis FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar driver Juncadella, meanwhile, will make his return to GTWC Europe on a full-time basis, amid his exit from Corvette Racing as a works driver.

Juncadella returns to racing for Mercedes-AMG, where he was a longtime factory driver prior to his switch to the Bow-Tie.

“I’m excited to be partnering up with Chris in the upcoming GT World Challenge Europe season and thankful for Verstappen Racing to be partnering up with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport,” he said.

“With the input that Max brings to the table, it’s a really strong project.”

Gounon added: “As I have worked for years with Mercedes-AMG, it is just great to now continue to build on that experience, together with Verstappen Racing, Chris and Dani.

“It is a fantastic project that has all the ingredients to make it a success. I look forward to working together.”