Max Verstappen announces multi-year deal with Mercedes following 'secret test'
Max Verstappen has confirmed he will be driving a Mercedes AMG next year as he continues to pursue a motorsport career away from F1.
The Dutchman will be heading into a F1 season without being the reigning champion for the first time since 2021 next year, after missing out by two points to McLaren's Lando Norris.
Verstappen will also be sporting the number 3 rather than 33 on his car for the first time in his F1 career, after being granted permission by former Red Bull man Daniel Ricciardo.
While F1 remains the 28-year-old's full-time commitment, 2025 saw Verstappen make his GT3 car debut at the Nurburgring where he won his first and only race to date driving a Ferrari 296 GT3.
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Speaking via Talking Bulls this week, Verstappen confirmed he will continue to pursue GT racing in 2026 and plans to go professional.
"Next year we want to be in the pro championship, we are changing cars but I can't tell you which one just yet," he said.
Verstappen Racing announces 'multi-year' Mercedes deal
Despite keeping tight-lipped, Verstappen didn't make us wait too long after confirming the switch from Ferrari to Mercedes on Christmas Eve.
The four-time F1 world champion's racing team took to Instagram in a joint post with Mercedes-AMG to confirm they have signed a multi-year deal.
The post read: "Verstappen Racing has announced a multi-year collaboration with Mercedes-AMG, starting next year.
"Verstappen Racing will continue in the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe championship, both in the Sprint and Endurance cup with a Mercedes-AMG GT3."
The switch to the German brand won't come as a surprise to fans, after Verstappen was spotted testing the car at Estoril in Portugal last week.
Following the announcement, Verstappen shared photographs of his test with the caption: "Bit of fun before the break, looking forward to 2026."
Topics: Max Verstappen, Formula 1
Tom Jenkins