From Motorsport · Heiko Stritzke · · 2m
Max Verstappen debuts in GT World Challenge Europe
Max Verstappen makes GT3 debut at Portimao with Valentino Rossi.
In brief
Max Verstappen makes GT3 debut at Portimao with Valentino Rossi. Max Verstappen debuts in GT World Challenge Europe with Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Portimao. Originally reported by Motorsport.
Max Verstappen debuts in GT3
Max Verstappen will make his long-awaited debut in GT World Challenge Europe this weekend with Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Team-mate Chris Lulham joins
Verstappen will share the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with regular team-mate and sim racing friend Chris Lulham and reserve driver Ben Barnicoat.
First GT3 appearance since Nurburgring
This will be Verstappen's first appearance in a GT3 car since the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours and his championship debut.
Championship standings
The title was already decided in favour of Maro Engel, Lucas Auer and Luca Stolz at the Nurburgring three-hour race with #48 Winward Mercedes-AMG leading the Endurance Cup.
Valentino Rossi joins grid
The event will bring together two motorsport giants with Verstappen sharing the grid with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi in #46 WRT BMW M4 GT3.
Portimao returns after 11 years
GTWC Europe returns to Portimao for the first time since 2015 after an 11-year hiatus from hosting an endurance race in the series.
Race schedule
The race runs Friday 16 October from 08:45 to 10:15 local time for FP1, 12:45 to 14:15 for FP2, and qualifying at 17:55 to 19:05 local time.
Race timing
The race will continue into dusk despite the time difference, adding a special atmosphere to the season finale.
Support races
The GT2 European Series, McLaren Trophy Europe and GT4 European Series will race on Sunday after the main event concludes.
TV broadcast
The race will be available for free on YouTube via SRO's official channel, GT World.
Driver absences
Juncadella and Gounon will miss the race due to the WEC round in Barcelona, opening the door for Verstappen to compete.
Other affected drivers
Other drivers prioritising the WEC round include Maxime Martin, Marco Sorensen, Dan Harper, Sean Gelael, Nicklas Nielsen, Alessio Rovera, Marvin Kirchhofer and Augusto Farfus.
Nikita Mazepin guest appearance
Former Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin will make a guest appearance with the Motopark team.
Weather forecast
Even in mid-October, warm temperatures are expected with air temperatures around 20C at the finish and no rain during the week.
The short version
Max Verstappen debuts in GT World Challenge Europe with Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Portimao.
