In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, the month of January is usually reserved for breathless PR launches, corporate handshakes, and the shiny unveiling of new challengers. But while the motorsport world turned its collective gaze toward Detroit, USA, for the grand reveal of Red Bull Racing’s RB22, the team’s star driver was roughly 4,000 miles away, doing the one thing he loves more than winning championships: driving.
On January 15, 2026, just days before his Formula 1 title defense is set to officially begin, Max Verstappen was found not in a suit and tie, but strapped tightly into the cockpit of a race car at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão. But it wasn’t a Red Bull. It wasn’t even a car associated with the Honda or Ford powertrains of his F1 allegiance.
Max Verstappen was driving a Mercedes.
A Shock to the System
The sight of the four-time World Champion behind the wheel of a Mercedes AMG GT3 has sent a distinct ripple of electricity through the racing community. For years, the Silver Arrows were Verstappen’s arch-nemesis, the barrier he had to break to claim his throne. Now, in a twist that screams of pure racing pragmatism over corporate politics, his private outfit, Verstappen Racing, has chosen Mercedes machinery for their 2026 campaign in the GT World Challenge Europe.
This wasn’t a leisurely track day or a sponsor obligation. According to reports from the circuit, this was a grueling, serious test session. Verstappen personally insisted on shaking down the car himself—not next month, not during the summer break, but right now. While his peers are squeezing in the last drops of their winter vacations, Verstappen is clocking lap after lap, analyzing tire degradation, tweaking suspension setups, and feeding professional-grade feedback to his engineers.
The Irony of Excellence
Why Mercedes? It is a question that undoubtedly raises eyebrows at Red Bull HQ, even if they understand their driver’s insatiable appetite for speed. Verstappen Racing could have partnered with any number of prestigious manufacturers—Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, or BMW. Yet, they chose the Mercedes AMG GT3.
The decision is a testament to Verstappen’s ruthless pursuit of performance. The Mercedes GT3 platform is widely regarded as one of the most reliable and competitive “customer” racing cars on the planet. Powered by a thunderous 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine pumping out 550 horsepower, it is a beast that demands respect. By choosing the machinery of his former bitter rivals, Verstappen has sent a clear message: he wants the best tools for his team, regardless of the badge on the grille.
The test at Portimão offered the perfect proving ground. The circuit is known for its rollercoaster elevation changes and blind crests—a “driver’s track” that exposes every weakness in a car’s handling. Over two intense days, Verstappen ran simulation after simulation, treating the test with the same clinical precision he applies to a Grand Prix weekend.
Building an Empire Beyond F1
To understand why a four-time F1 champion would spend his precious off-season sweating in a GT car, you have to look beyond the trophy cabinet. Max Verstappen isn’t just an employee of Red Bull Racing; he is a student of the sport and an aspiring team owner with a vision.
“Verstappen Racing” is not a vanity project. It is a professional operation run by 2C’s Motorsport, aimed at competing in the Pro category of the GT World Challenge Europe—one of the fiercest GT championships in the world. In F1, Max is a soldier following the orders of the team principal. But here, in the garage at Portimão, he is the general. He calls the shots. He builds the culture.
This move signals that Verstappen is already laying the concrete foundations for his legacy. He has frequently hinted that his F1 career won’t last forever, often citing the grueling calendar and the political nature of the sport as factors that might lead to an early exit. By establishing a high-level GT team now, he is creating a sanctuary where he can race on his own terms for decades to come.
The Unanswered Question
Despite the intensity of the test, a cloud of mystery still hangs over the 2026 GT season. Will Max actually race?
As of now, his participation in the GT World Challenge Europe remains unconfirmed. The logistics of combining a record-breaking F1 calendar with a serious GT campaign are a nightmare. However, the fact that he is testing the car himself suggests that the door is far from closed. Whether he plans to make a wildcard appearance or simply wants to ensure his drivers have the best possible baseline setup, his involvement is hands-on and absolute.
The Message to the Paddock
As the sun sets over the Portuguese hills and the roar of the V8 fades, the message Max Verstappen has sent to his F1 rivals is deafening.
While they are resting, he is working. While they are posting workout selfies, he is refining his race craft. The psychological impact of this cannot be overstated. When the F1 grid forms up for the first race of 2026, Verstappen will arrive having already spent days at the limit of adhesion, his reflexes sharpened and his mind dialed in.
The “private” F1 testing begins soon in Barcelona, where Max will finally get his hands on the Red Bull RB22. But by then, he will already be in rhythm. The Mercedes test wasn’t a distraction; it was a declaration. Max Verstappen doesn’t just want to win Formula 1 races. He wants to master the art of driving, in every form, in every car, at every opportunity.
Detroit may have the lights and the cameras today, but Portimão had the action. And as history has shown us, wherever the action is, that is where you will find Max Verstappen.