Max Verstappen's Mercedes-AMG car for the NĂŒrburgring 24 Hours has raised eyebrows due to special preparations and a lack of standard suspension. This situation is notable as it marks a departure from typical Mercedes-AMG practices since HWA's split from the brand.
Key points
Max Verstappen's Mercedes-AMG car was specially prepared at HWA.
HWA is no longer responsible for Mercedes-AMG's GT3 racing activities.
Verstappen's car lacks the standard Bilstein suspension.
This situation is unusual given the recent changes in operations.
The preparations differ from those of the second factory-supported Winward Mercedes.
BilsteinMax VerstappenMercedes-AMGHWA
Motorsport photo
Motorsport photo
Is Max Verstappen receiving special treatment at Mercedes-AMG? As Motorsport.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 NĂŒrburgring 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 brandâs 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 NĂŒrburgring-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
#3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO: Max Verstappen, Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon
Q&A
What special treatment is Max Verstappen receiving at Mercedes-AMG?
Max Verstappen's car was meticulously checked and prepared at HWA, which is unusual since HWA is no longer responsible for Mercedes-AMG's GT3 racing activities.
Why is the preparation of Verstappen's car controversial?
The controversy stems from the special preparations given to Verstappen's car, contrasting with the standard practices for other vehicles in the same category.
What suspension system is missing from Verstappen's NĂŒrburgring car?
Verstappen's car lacks the Bilstein suspension typically used by Mercedes-AMG, despite their exclusive agreement with the manufacturer for Performance Team entries.
How has HWA's split from Mercedes-AMG affected their racing operations?
Since splitting from Mercedes-AMG in December 2025, HWA is no longer involved in GT3 racing, with operations now managed by Affalterbach Racing GmbH.
Related Articles
Sports
Notts County book place at Wembley after holding off Chesterfield
Sky Sports·
Soccer·Recap
Aston Villa rip Liverpool apart to secure Champions League football
Aston Villa defeated Liverpool 4-2, securing Champions League qualification while leaving Liverpool needing a win against Brentford to secure their own spot. Watkins scored twice in the second half, highlighting Villa's dominance.
Sky Sports··1 min read
NFL·Preview
Browns receive grime outlook following release of 2026 NFL schedule
Cleveland Browns' 2026 NFL schedule reveals a grim outlook despite offseason changes.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer
United need balance of experience and youth to transform squad
Manchester United seeks balance of youth and experience for squad revamp.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NHL
NHL takes draft pick away from Golden Knights over media policy violation
NHL strips Golden Knights of draft pick and fines coach for media policy breach
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Feature
Guardiola insists he has 'one more year' on Man City deal
Guardiola insists he has one more year on his Man City deal
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
#3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO: Max Verstappen, Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon
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 Motorsport.com, it was Verstappenâs 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 NĂŒrburgring 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
#3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO: Max Verstappen, Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon
#3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO: Max Verstappen, Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon
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 AMGâs 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 yearâs NĂŒrburgring race are also being prepared at HWA - and according to information from Motorsport.com, 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 Verstappenâs 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.
