Formula 1 News: Verstappen tests Mercedes GT3 at Estoril, does it mean anything?

(GMM) Max Verstappen has wasted little time switching gears after the 2025 Formula 1 season, heading to Portugal for a fresh motorsport adventure.

Just over a week after the Abu Dhabi finale, the four-time world champion tested a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the first time at Estoril. The car was run by 2 Seas Motorsport, which already operates Verstappen.com Racing’s GT program and has strong ties to Mercedes-AMG machinery.

The test has fueled paddock rumors that Verstappen.com Racing is preparing to switch from Ferrari to Mercedes-AMG GT3 equipment in the GT World Challenge Europe, potentially stepping up into the Pro class.

Two Mercedes-AMG GT3s in Red Bull liveries, carrying numbers 33 and 333, were seen on track, while Verstappen also logged comparison laps in the #31 Ferrari 296 GT3 he raced to victory in the Nurburgring Endurance Series earlier this year.

Mercedes-AMG factory driver Jules Gounon assisted during the Estoril running, further intensifying speculation about a full-factory-supported Pro entry. Verstappen has repeatedly said that racing the Nurburgring 24 Hours remains a major goal, although his debut in the Eifel classic could yet be delayed until 2027 as he focuses on Formula 1’s new regulations in 2026.

Editor’s Note: Some speculate that a switch to Mercedes for the Verstappen GT3 team might mean he is eyeing Toto Wolff’s offer to come and drive for the Mercedes F1 team in 2027. The Dutchman said during October’s Singapore Grand Prix weekend that doing the Nurburgring 24 Hour race in 2026  would depend on “a lot of things”. It depends on F1 first of all, I’m suspecting that with the rules next year it’s going to be very complicated to start with, some unknowns anyway,” he added, citing the incoming regulation change.

“It probably will be a little bit more hectic than the end of a regulation where things are a bit more straightforward. Plus, there’s also the program of the GT3 team, which car we are going to race next year and stuff like that, so a lot of things that still have to come together before I can really plan it well in advance for just my drivers already in the team, plus myself.

“We want to be back there, I just don’t know at the moment how many races I can do next year, but if there is an opportunity and I feel good about it, plus whatever is happening in F1, then for sure.”

Portugal, meanwhile, has secured a much more official return to the F1 calendar. Formula 1 confirmed a two-year agreement that will see Portimao host grands prix in 2027 and 2028, presumably thanks to the sport’s newer flexible, rotating-venue model used with Spa.

“The interest and demand to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix is the highest that it has ever been,” said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, adding that Portimao’s layout “delivers on-track excitement from the first corner to the checkered flag.”

Finally, organizers of Madrid’s new circuit also sought to calm lingering doubts over readiness for 2026. A statement from Madring confirmed construction has accelerated, with work starting on the pit building at IFEMA and the first layers of asphalt already being laid around the track.

“Madring is taking shape ahead of 2026,” the organizers said.