Max Verstappen has made a stunning switch to GT racing, making his race debut in the GT World Challenge Europe at Portimao aboard the No.3 Team Verstappen Mercedes AMG. The four-time Formula 1 world champion arrived directly in Portugal straight from securing his second victory of the 2026 season at the Singapore Grand Prix to step in as a guest driver for the Endurance Cup finale.
The entry's regular drivers were forced to skip the weekend due to their FIA World Endurance Championship commitments at Barcelona, opening the door for the reigning F1 dominator. Verstappen's weekend began with a steep learning curve as the crew struggled to 20th in FP1, before a rapid setup turnaround saw them leap up to fourth in FP2. Following a fiercely competitive qualifying session, Verstappen ultimately secured the 15th spot on the starting grid.
Sharing driving duties in the No.3 machine, Verstappen is teaming up with Ben Barnicoat and Chris Lulham to tackle the demanding endurance encounter. Beyond the team's strategic battle on track, the weekend carries massive historical significance as it marks the very first time Verstappen shares an official race track with MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi.
Rossi, competing for the WRT BMW outfit, expressed immense excitement about facing the F1 superstar on the tarmac. Speaking to Sky Sport Italy, the Italian legend admitted the magnitude of the challenge. 'It's going to be amazing,' Rossi said. 'I mean, it will be a big problem because he’s sure to be incredibly fast, but it will be fantastic. I have to say, I never imagined I’d be racing towards Max Verstappen. So it’s great, it’ll be great for everyone to have him there, and I hope I get the chance to follow him and see how he drives.'
Fans tuning into the action can follow every second of Verstappen's GT3 journey via a dedicated live onboard feed from the No.3 Mercedes throughout the race duration. As the lights go green at Portimao, the motorsport world watches closely to see how quickly the single-seater master adapts to the intricacies of GT endurance racing against an elite field.
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