Max Verstappen made his highly anticipated debut in the GT World Challenge Europe at Portimao, driving the Team Verstappen Mercedes-AMG to a hard-fought top-ten finish after an action-packed three-hour endurance race.
The four-time Formula 1 world champion entered the GT3 grid this weekend due to a calendar clash with the FIA World Endurance Championship in Barcelona, which sidelined regular drivers from the team's initial lineup.
Starting from 14th on the grid, the team immediately showed strong pace when Ben Barnicoat delivered a stellar opening stint. He charged through the field during his 66-minute run, handing over the car in second place before pitting.
Chris Lulham took over for the second stint, rejoining the track in eighth position. However, a late-stint contact with another Mercedes resulted in a drive-through penalty, dropping the car down to 16th place.
Verstappen stepped into the cockpit for the final 45 minutes of the race, re-entering the track in 24th place. Despite a safety car period caused by a stranded BMW neutralizing his early progress, the Dutch driver fought brilliantly through the traffic in the final 23 minutes.
His relentless charge rewarded the team with a ninth-place finish at the checkered flag. Meanwhile, victory at Portimao went to Fabian Schiller and the GetSpeed squad, with Porsche crews rounding out the overall podium.
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