Fresh from consecutive Formula 1 victories, Max Verstappen has turned his attention to GT racing ahead of this weekend's three-hour endurance event at Portimao. The four-time world champion will share the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat in a high-profile lineup.
The Dutch driver stepped into the seat after regular competitors Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon were ruled out due to their FIA World Endurance Championship commitments in Spain. Speaking following testing sessions at the Portuguese circuit on Thursday, Verstappen admitted he was still adjusting to the vehicle setup and track conditions, while maintaining his trademark competitive drive.
"We're here to win. That's always the target," Verstappen stated regarding his ambitions for the weekend. This appearance marks another significant step in the Red Bull star's growing involvement in endurance racing, building on his previous outings at the Nurburgring Nordschleife with his own motorsport operation.
Although somewhat familiar with the machinery, Verstappen acknowledged that the distinct characteristics of the Portimao circuit presented a unique challenge during initial running. Adapting to new braking markers and high-speed sweepers required a careful adjustment period for the single-seater dominator.
"It's been alright. Of course, my references are from the Nurburgring Nordschleife, so it took a bit of time to get used to driving the car at this track," he explained. "But the Mercedes-AMG GT3 is very well-balanced and it has proven over the last few years that it's also very competitive."
Transitioning from elite grand prix racing into GT competition pushes the champion beyond his usual comfort zone, yet it remains an experience he deeply relishes. Furthermore, sharing driving duties with teammates offers a fresh dynamic that he rarely encountered throughout his open-wheel career.
"I'm getting a bit out of my comfort zone driving this type of car, but I love it. I love competing in all types of categories," he added. Rejoining forces with Barnicoat—whom he raced against extensively in karting—alongside sim-racing partner Lulham adds a collaborative element to his latest motorsport challenge.
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