Max Verstappen in a Mercedes? Red Bull star confirms 24h Nürburgring entry in AMG GT3 | WATCH

Nurburg: Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen will fulfil a long-standing "bucket list" ambition this spring as he prepares to compete in his inaugural 24-hour endurance race at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Verstappen and his sportscar outfit announced Monday that the Red Bull star will headline a Mercedes-AMG GT3 entry for the storied event in May. He is slated to share the Red Bull-liveried machine with teammates Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer.

“The Nürburgring Nordschleife is a special place. There's no other track like it," Verstappen said. “The 24h Nürburgring is a race that's been on my bucket list for a long time, so I'm really thrilled we can make it happen now.”

The Nordschleife, an arduous 13-mile (20.8-kilometre) circuit winding through the Eifel forest, features more than 150 corners and is notorious for its minimal runoff areas and high-speed risks. Formula 1 famously abandoned the layout following the 1976 German Grand Prix, where reigning champion Niki Lauda narrowly survived a fiery crash.

To qualify for the premier class of the 24-hour race, Verstappen completed a mandatory licensure process in September, debuting in a GT4-specification car during a four-hour event. He later secured a victory at the track in a GT3 Ferrari toward the end of that month.

The 27-year-old’s preparation will continue on March 21, when he returns to the circuit for a final warm-up race. The appearance is strategically scheduled into his Formula 1 itinerary between this week’s Chinese Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29.

The 24-hour marathon is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. local time on May 16, concluding the following afternoon. The endurance challenge falls just one week before Verstappen is set to compete in the Canadian Grand Prix.

With inputs from PTI