Summary
- Verstappen will contest the three-hour GT World Challenge Europe finale at Portimão.
- He joins Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat in the No. 3 Mercedes, replacing drivers unavailable because of their WEC commitments.
- The appearance creates seven consecutive race weekends for the four-time F1 champion.
Max Verstappen has confirmed another appearance outside Formula 1, adding the GT World Challenge Europe finale at Portimão to an already crowded autumn schedule. The four-time world champion will drive the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 under the Verstappen Racing banner in the three-hour race on Saturday, 17 October.
Verstappen will share the car with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat, according to the driver’s official website. The entry is operated by 2 Seas Motorsport and gives the Red Bull driver his first appearance in GT World Challenge Europe, where the field also includes Valentino Rossi in a BMW run by WRT.
The opportunity arose because regular drivers Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella have commitments at the World Endurance Championship’s Barcelona round on the same weekend. Verstappen and Barnicoat will step in alongside Lulham to complete the Portuguese line-up.
Speaking at Sepang ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, Verstappen welcomed the opportunity despite the additional demands on his calendar.
“I know that two of my drivers won’t be part of the line-up, so two other drivers will have to take their places. I’m looking forward to it. It will be seven intense weeks, but we’ll go for it and I’m excited anyway. Let’s see what we can achieve,” Verstappen said in Baku for the preparation of Bahrain GP in Malaysia.
Verstappen fills his only break between two F1 triple-headers
The Portimão appearance means Verstappen will race on seven consecutive weekends. The sequence began with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and continues through Malaysia and Singapore before he switches from his Red Bull F1 car to the Mercedes GT3.
Portugal occupies the weekend between Singapore and the next Formula 1 triple-header. Verstappen will then return to the championship for the United States, Mexico City and São Paulo Grands Prix.
| Event | Race date |
|---|---|
| Azerbaijan Grand Prix | 26 September |
| Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia | 4 October |
| Singapore Grand Prix | 11 October |
| GT World Challenge Europe, Portimão | 17 October |
| United States Grand Prix | 25 October |
| Mexico City Grand Prix | 1 November |
| São Paulo Grand Prix | 8 November |
The commitment adds another endurance appearance to Verstappen’s season following his participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in May. At Portimão, he will compete in a different championship and race format while returning to a circuit he enjoys.
“I love the track and being in Portugal, so we will try to have a good weekend,” Verstappen said on his official website.
Why Gounon and Juncadella cannot race at Portimão
Gounon and Juncadella will prioritise their Hypercar programmes at the World Endurance Championship round in Barcelona. Gounon drives Alpine’s No. 36, while Juncadella competes in the No. 19 Genesis.
The calendar clash has prompted adjustments to both events. GT World Challenge Europe moved its three-hour finale from Sunday to Saturday evening to help drivers, teams and other personnel involved in both championships.
The WEC is also adapting its timetable, including plans to separate the qualifying sessions for LMGT3 and Hypercar. Those measures do not allow Gounon and Juncadella to join the Verstappen Racing entry in Portugal.
Portimão’s revised schedule places qualifying on Friday, 16 October, at 17:55 local time. The race begins at 17:00 on Saturday and runs for three hours.
What time does Verstappen’s Portimão race start?
The scheduled start corresponds to 17:00 in Portugal and the UK, 12:00 Eastern time in the United States and Canada, and 21:30 in India. Fans in Sydney and Melbourne will follow the start at 03:00 on Sunday, 18 October.
| Location | Race start |
|---|---|
| Portugal and UK | Saturday, 17 October — 17:00 |
| New York and Toronto | Saturday, 17 October — 12:00 |
| Los Angeles and Vancouver | Saturday, 17 October — 09:00 |
| India | Saturday, 17 October — 21:30 |
| Sydney and Melbourne | Sunday, 18 October — 03:00 |
| Brasília | Saturday, 17 October — 13:00 |
GRANDE PRÊMIO’s sister operation in Brazil broadcasts the complete GT World Challenge Europe season live, including the Portimão finale. That coverage also includes the championship’s Barcelona event from 2–4 October, before attention turns to the deciding round in Portugal.
Verstappen’s immediate focus remains Sepang, where Formula 1 practice begins on Friday. His GT3 appearance follows the Malaysian and Singapore rounds, extending his racing programme through the championship’s next scheduled break.
F1 today: FAQ
Who was fastest in Bahrain GP practice at Sepang?
Max Verstappen topped FP1 with a 1:37.520, beating George Russell by 0.383 seconds. Isack Hadjar finished third, ahead of Charles Leclerc and championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
What time does F1 FP2 start in Malaysia?
FP2 starts on Friday, 2 October, at 16:00 in Malaysia. That is 09:00 BST in the UK, 04:00 EDT in New York and Toronto, 01:00 PDT in Los Angeles and Vancouver, 13:30 IST in India and 18:00 AEST in Sydney and Melbourne.
Why is the Bahrain Grand Prix being held in Malaysia?
The original race at Sakhir was cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East. Sepang is hosting the replacement event while retaining the Bahrain Grand Prix name, bringing Formula 1 back to the Malaysian circuit for the first time since 2017.
Is Max Verstappen racing at Portimão in 2026?
Yes. Verstappen has confirmed his participation in the GT World Challenge Europe finale on Saturday, 17 October.
