Max Verstappen faced immediate drama during his GT World Challenge Europe debut this weekend at the Portimao circuit. The four-time Formula 1 world champion was handed an official reprimand by the race stewards following a collision in the opening practice session.
The Dutchman is steering the No.3 Team Verstappen Mercedes AMG, the same car he raced at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring earlier this year. During Friday morning's opening official practice, Max Verstappen and his crew finished 20th in the standings, sitting just 0.4 seconds off the top spot to showcase immediate competitive pace.
However, the session was far from clean for Max Verstappen. He clipped the No.25 Sainteloc Racing Audi driven by Ezequiel Perez Companc, sending the competitor into a spin at Portimao's Turn 3 early in the session.
The incident occurred when Max Verstappen was on his first proper flying lap and attempted to pass up the inside of the Audi into Turn 3. After reviewing the crash, the stewards apportioned blame to the Red Bull driver and issued a formal reprimand alongside a Behaviour Warning Point.
Ezequiel Perez Companc explained that he was entirely focused on the traffic ahead and remained unaware of Max Verstappen diving down his inside line. Meanwhile, arguments were raised regarding expectations of racing lines through the corner complex.
Stewards acknowledged mitigating circumstances from both sides, which resulted in a relatively lenient penalty for the championship leader. Further warning points, however, carry escalating grid penalties for future GTWCE appearances.
This weekend, Max Verstappen shares driving duties with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat, stepping in while regular drivers Dani Juncadella and Joules Gounon compete elsewhere in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
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