Mercedes Star Kimi Antonelli Proposes ‘Awesome’ Endurance Partnership With Max Verstappen Following Nordschleife Disqualification

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli eyes a future GT3 partnership with Max Verstappen as the world champion prepares for the grueling 24 Hours of Nurburgring in May.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 8:51 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

A Convergence of Generations in GT3 Racing

The landscape of endurance racing may soon witness a powerhouse pairing as Mercedes’ newest Formula 1 victor, Kimi Antonelli, signaled his intent to join forces with four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Antonelli, whose father Marco is a veteran sportscar racer, has deep roots in the GT world and frequently tests GT3 cars outside of his F1 commitments. Speaking on his admiration for Verstappen’s diverse racing portfolio, Antonelli described a potential partnership as "super cool" and "pretty awesome." The Italian teenager highlighted that both drivers share a rare, genuine passion for GT racing that exists independently of their high-pressure roles in the Grand Prix paddock.

Verstappen’s Disqualification Amid Nurburgring Preparations

The proposal comes in the wake of a bittersweet weekend for Max Verstappen at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Competing in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 alongside Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, Verstappen appeared to have secured a commanding victory on his class debut. However, the triumph was short-lived as the entry was disqualified post-race for a technical infringement involving tyre usage. Officials determined the team had inadvertently exceeded the maximum allowance of six sets of tyres for the event. Despite the loss of the result, the weekend provided Verstappen with vital mileage as he prepares for the prestigious 24 Hours of Nurburgring scheduled for May 14-17.

Antonelli’s Ambitions for the ‘Green Hell’

Antonelli’s interest in the Nordschleife is not merely theoretical, as the young driver revealed he has already formally requested a test session at the legendary 25-kilometer circuit. Known globally as the "Green Hell," the track requires specialized experience and a specific license grade for competitive entry. Antonelli, who has extensive experience on the circuit in the virtual world, expressed a deep desire to translate that knowledge to real-world conditions. By eyeing a test at the Nordschleife, Antonelli is positioning himself to follow in the footsteps of Verstappen, who has increasingly used his off-weekends to refine his craft in multi-class endurance environments.