Max Verstappen’s Mercedes‑AMG GT3 raced the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours at its prescribed 1,355 kg, dismissing the circulating claim of a 35‑kilogram weight penalty.
Origin of the 35 kg claim
The rumor first appeared after MotorBiscuit ran a headline in mid‑May alleging a “brutal BoP penalty” for Verstappen’s effort. The story spread to Reddit, MSN and various other sites without independent verification, cementing the 35‑kg figure in the public discourse.
What the official Balance of Performance data actually shows
The Balance of Performance (BoP) sheet lists the Mercedes‑AMG GT3 with a minimum weight of 1,355 kg for the Nordschleife. In the same document the McLaren 720S GT3 is assigned a lower minimum of 1,320 kg. Subtracting the two values yields 35 kg – the exact number quoted in the rumors.
Crucially, the BoP did not alter the Mercedes weight from the 2025 edition; the car retained its standard operating weight introduced with the 2020 Evo upgrade. Instead, the BoP granted the AMG a 0.5 mm enlargement of its twin air restrictors, a modest adjustment meant to keep the aging V8‑front‑engine platform competitive.
Why the comparison is misleading
Comparing the Mercedes to the McLaren mixes fundamentally different vehicle concepts. The AMG’s V8 front‑engine layout makes it inherently heavier than the mid‑engine, carbon‑fibre McLaren. The 35‑kg gap existed long before the 2026 race and reflects design philosophy, not a punitive addition imposed on Verstappen’s entry.
All Mercedes‑AMG GT3s on the grid adhered to the same 1,355 kg requirement, meaning no extra ballast was slipped into Verstappen’s cockpit. The narrative of a hidden “sandbag” is therefore a classic case of a raw number being stripped from context, sensationalised, and rebroadcast as fact.
As the field prepares for next season’s endurance challenges, the episode underscores how quickly unverified figures can mutate into viral conspiracy, reminding fans to trace claims back to the original technical documents.
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