News Summary
- Ben Barnicoat will start the three-hour Portimão race in the Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing #3.
- Chris Lulham will drive the second stint, with Max Verstappen confirmed as the final driver.
- Verstappen is expected to take over during the final hour, although the precise timing will depend on pit-stop strategy and race interruptions.
Max Verstappen will drive the final stint of Saturday’s GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup race at Portimão, with Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing choosing to leave the four-time Formula 1 world champion in charge of bringing its No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 to the chequered flag.
The team has confirmed that Ben Barnicoat will start the three-hour race, Chris Lulham will take over for the middle stint and Verstappen will complete the final part. The decision means fans hoping to watch the Red Bull driver in action will need to wait until the closing stages rather than the start.
The race begins at 17:00 local time in Portugal, equivalent to 13:00 in Brasília, 12:00 in New York and 17:00 in London.
Under a conventional three-stint strategy, Verstappen would take over at approximately 19:00 in Portugal, 15:00 in Brasília, 14:00 in New York and 19:00 in London. However, that is only an estimate, not an officially confirmed driver-change time.
Why Verstappen will not start the Portimão race
Verstappen Racing has opted to use Barnicoat for the opening hour, giving the experienced British endurance driver responsibility for negotiating the crowded start.
The field features more than 60 GT3 cars, with competitors divided into several classes and frequent traffic expected around the Algarve circuit.
Barnicoat brings considerable experience of multiclass racing, including factory programmes and major endurance events in North America.
Lulham will then take over for the middle part of the race before Verstappen enters the car for the final stint.
The Dutchman will therefore be responsible for the team’s closing laps, including any late battles for position and the final run to the chequered flag.
Verstappen is competing in the event during Formula 1’s scheduled weekend off between the Singapore and United States Grands Prix.
What time will Verstappen enter the Mercedes?
The race is scheduled to last three hours, with each driver completing approximately one hour behind the wheel.
The expected sequence is:
| Stint | Driver | Approximate time in Portugal | Brasília (BRT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B. BARNICOAT | 17:00–18:00 | 13:00–14:00 |
| 2 | C. LULHAM | 18:00–19:00 | 14:00–15:00 |
| 3 | M. VERSTAPPEN | 19:00–20:00 | 15:00–16:00 |
These are estimated stint windows, not confirmed pit-stop times. Safety-car periods, Full Course Yellow procedures, race strategy and minimum driving-time requirements may change the schedule.
For viewers in other major markets, Verstappen’s estimated entry time is 14:00 EDT in New York, 11:00 PDT in Los Angeles, 23:30 IST in India, 05:00 AEDT on Sunday in Melbourne and 07:00 NZDT on Sunday in Auckland.
Verstappen Racing faces recovery drive at Portimão
The Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing crew qualified in the midfield after struggling to find a competitive setup on Friday.
The No. 3 Mercedes recorded a combined qualifying average of 1:42.624, more than half a second behind the pole-sitting Boutsen VDS Porsche.
The result contrasted with the team’s performance in free practice, when Lulham had placed the car fourth overall.
As GRANDE PRÊMIO reported after qualifying, the drivers experienced bouncing and handling difficulties that prevented them from reproducing their practice pace.
Verstappen also received a reprimand following contact with another competitor during Friday’s opening practice session.
The stewards’ decision was detailed in GRANDE PRÊMIO’s report on the incident.
The team will now attempt to recover positions during the three-hour race, with Barnicoat and Lulham handling the opening two stints before Verstappen takes over.
Where to watch Verstappen’s GTWC race live
The GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup finale is available through the championship’s official international streaming platforms.
The race begins at 17:00 BST in the United Kingdom and 12:00 EDT on the United States East Coast, with Verstappen expected to drive during the final hour.
International viewers can consult GRANDE PRÊMIO’s guide to watching Verstappen live at Portimão for streaming information and local start times.
The Brazilian edition of GRANDE PRÊMIO will also provide coverage through GPTV and its digital channels.
