Max Verstappen's return to GT racing during the Formula 1 break delivered intense drama, a top-10 finish, and drew a massive crowd both online and trackside at the Portimao GT World Challenge event.
A set-up miscue had left the 2 Seas Motorsport-run Mercedes scraping its way to just 15th on the grid in a shower of sparks during Friday evening's qualifying session under challenging conditions.
Verstappen's team-mates Ben Barnicoat and Chris Lulham made rapid progress forward as they took the first two stints, with Barnicoat soon breaking into the top 10 and Lulham charging towards the top five.
However, Lulham subsequently incurred a drivethrough penalty for assisting Luca Stolz's Mercedes into a spin while attempting to seize fifth place on a restart lap following a safety car intervention.
Lulham served that penalty just before handing over to Verstappen, meaning the Dutchman had to take over down in 24th place with a mere 45 minutes of after-dark racing remaining on the clock.
Another lengthy safety car period cost Verstappen valuable racing laps to make up ground, though it did at least successfully close up the fiercely competitive pack.
With 23 minutes left on the clock at the restart, Verstappen found himself down in 19th position before producing a spectacular charge that featured an entertaining battle with Arthur Leclerc in an AF Corse Ferrari.
That relentless charging effort ultimately salvaged a notable top-10 finish in ninth place, prompting a massive grin from Verstappen upon returning to the pits and huge cheers from the main grandstand.
At the front of the field, the GetSpeed Mercedes crew comprising Ralf Aron, Fabian Schiller, and Maxi Gotz safely claimed overall victory after a commanding performance.
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