Max Verstappen will make his sportscar racing debut in the GT World Challenge Europe later this month at Portimao, Portugal. The race presents a rare opportunity for the Red Bull driver to test himself outside Formula 1, and he'll go head-to-head with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi in the GT3 class.
Verstappen's decision comes after spotting a gap in the 2027 F1 calendar that could allow him to race at Spa and the Nurburgring. However, he's chosen to start earlier, taking advantage of a free weekend between the Singapore and United States Grands Prix. The Algarve Circuit event is the season finale of the GT World Challenge Europe, where Verstappen will drive his Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the Endurance Cup class.
Interestingly, Verstappen won't be alone. He'll face Valentino Rossi, a nine-time MotoGP world champion who switched to car racing in 2022. Rossi will pilot a BMW M4 GT3 for the factory Team WRT. This duo is set to be a major draw for motorsport fans eager to see a showdown between an F1 star and a MotoGP icon on the same track.
Verstappen's decision to race at Portimao was also influenced by the absence of regular drivers Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella, who have opted to focus on their WEC commitments. "I know that two of my drivers won't be part of the line-up, so two other drivers need to step in, and I'm looking forward to it," Verstappen told media, including Motorsport Week. "It's going to be a busy seven weeks, but I enjoy it anyway, so yeah, let's see what we can do there."
Verstappen will be joined by Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat for the three-hour race. Both have experience in the series, having raced at the Nurburgring last year. This combination is expected to deliver a competitive performance for Verstappen Racing, though they'll face tough competition from top teams.
The Algarve Circuit will also host the Portuguese GP next season, so Verstappen hopes to make the most of his time at the track, albeit in a different racing category. This GT3 experience could prove valuable if he seriously pursues endurance racing in the future.
With a packed schedule, Verstappen must manage his energy and focus wisely. But his competitive spirit is unquestionable. His debut in the GT World Challenge Europe is not just a trial but proof that he's a versatile driver hungry for new challenges. We look forward to seeing him in action at Portimao.
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Max Verstappen akan debut di GT World Challenge Europe di Portimao, menantang Valentino Rossi. Simak jadwal, tim, dan persiapannya.
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