The story behind Verstappen’s unique Nürburgring Mercedes setup

Is Max Verstappen receiving special treatment at Mercedes-AMG? As Autosport.com has learned from reliable sources, the #3 Winward Mercedes - which he shares with Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, and Daniel Juncadella - was meticulously checked, measured, and prepared at HWA in Affalterbach ahead of the Nürburgring 24 Hours. This differs from the second factory-supported Winward Mercedes, the #80 car.

This is unusual because, since splitting from Mercedes-AMG in December 2025, HWA is no longer responsible for the brand’s GT3 racing activities for the first time. Since then, operations have been handled by AMG subsidiary, Affalterbach Racing GmbH.

But that is not the only unusual detail surrounding the Verstappen car: The Red Bull-liveried machine was not equipped with the Bilstein suspension typically used by Mercedes-AMG on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife -  despite AMG previously holding an exclusive agreement with the German suspension manufacturer for its Performance Team entries in the Eifel.

Why is Verstappen running a different suspension?

#3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO: Max Verstappen, Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Instead, the Verstappen car features dampers and springs from Multimatic, the components with which the car was originally homologated. Unlike GT3 series such as the DTM, the choice of suspension is generally free on the Nordschleife - though it must be approved by the organizer to ensure there are no safety risks.

According to sources speaking with Autosport, it was Verstappen’s own wish to run the Multimatic suspension, which the Mercedes-AMG car also uses during 2 Seas' entries under the Verstappen Racing banner in the GT World Challenge Europe (GTWCE). Since the #80 continues to use the Bilstein setup, the two Winward Mercedes will head into the 24-hour race with different suspension configurations.

Has this given Verstappen an advantage? That question is already circulating in the paddock. However, the fact remains that there is a commercial partnership between Verstappen Racing and the Canadian manufacturer for the GTWCE and the Nürburgring appearance. Has this given Verstappen an advantage? That question is already circulating in the paddock. 

Team sources insist there is no performance difference between the two setups.

Why was only the Verstappen car prepared at HWA?

#3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO: Max Verstappen, Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon

Photo by: Gruppe C Photography

So why was Verstappen's car prepared separately at HWA? As we understand it, this goes back to the four-time Formula 1 World Champion himself.

Verstappen wanted to "leave nothing to chance," says a Mercedes-AMG insider, and personally pushed to have the car prepared at HWA. The 28-year-old is also understood to be covering the additional costs himself.

HWA possesses vast experience on the Nordschleife, having managed AMG’s factory efforts until last year - furthermore, the long-standing company developed and built the Mercedes-AMG GT3, including the Evo version.

The Mercedes-AMG engines for this year’s Nürburgring race are also being prepared at HWA - and according to information from Autosport, they were put through their paces on the dynamometer in Affalterbach. This, however, was not a solo effort by Verstappen, but rather an official order from Mercedes-AMG.

HWA received engine preparation order from Mercedes-AMG

It seems that even at headquarters, they are unwilling to take any risks so soon after the transition to Affalterbach Racing GmbH. With Verstappen’s entry, there is a significant amount at stake this year, and the goal is to win the Eifel classic for the first time in ten years.

To prepare for every eventuality, the Winward team has built up a spare car, which can be retrieved at any time from their workshop in Altendiez, just an hour away, should it be necessary.

The sister Winward entry nearly had to use it on Friday after Maro Engel's crash in Top Qualifying 2. However, that car was repaired at the circuit.