{"id":3914,"date":"2026-10-12T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=3914"},"modified":"2026-10-12T18:17:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T21:17:19","slug":"where-is-max-verstappen-racing-this-weekend-gt-world-challenge-europe-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/endurance\/where-is-max-verstappen-racing-this-weekend-gt-world-challenge-europe-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Where is Max Verstappen racing this weekend? GT World Challenge Europe explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Max Verstappen will race at Portim\u00e3o, Portugal, on October 17<\/strong>, in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup finale.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The four-time Formula 1 champion will share the <strong>#3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO<\/strong> with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO will broadcast the event live<\/strong> on GPTV and YouTube, including practice, qualifying and the three-hour race.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Max Verstappen is racing outside Formula 1 this weekend, taking part in the <strong>2026 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup season finale at the Aut\u00f3dromo Internacional do Algarve in Portim\u00e3o, Portugal<\/strong>, on Saturday, October 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The four-time F1 world champion will drive the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO entered by his own Verstappen Racing team, sharing the car with British drivers Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The event takes place between the Singapore and United States Formula 1 Grands Prix, giving Verstappen another opportunity to compete in GT3 machinery during a particularly busy period of his racing calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As previously reported by <strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/endurance\/verstappen-adds-portimao-gt3-race-to-packed-f1-schedule\/\">Verstappen added the Portim\u00e3o GT3 race to his packed Formula 1 schedule<\/a>, creating a sequence of seven consecutive race weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-marina-bay-corrida-red-bull-max-verstappen-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"F1 2026, SINGAPURA, MARINA BAY, CORRIDA, RED BULL, MAX VERSTAPPEN, ROSTO, RETRATO\" class=\"wp-image-1020317992\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-marina-bay-corrida-red-bull-max-verstappen-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-marina-bay-corrida-red-bull-max-verstappen-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-marina-bay-corrida-red-bull-max-verstappen-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-marina-bay-corrida-red-bull-max-verstappen-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-marina-bay-corrida-red-bull-max-verstappen-1-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-marina-bay-corrida-red-bull-max-verstappen-1-150x84.png 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-singapura-marina-bay-corrida-red-bull-max-verstappen-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Max Verstappen (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where is Max Verstappen racing on October 17?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Verstappen will compete at the <strong>Aut\u00f3dromo Internacional do Algarve<\/strong>, commonly known as Portim\u00e3o, a 4.692km circuit with 18 corners located in southern Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The venue previously hosted the Portuguese Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2020 and 2021, making it familiar to Verstappen from his F1 career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the challenge will be different this time. Instead of driving a single-seater, the Dutchman will compete in a GT3 sports car during a three-hour endurance race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The event is the final round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, featuring a field of more than 60 GT3 cars from ten manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Verstappen will compete against established endurance drivers and other high-profile names, including former MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What car will Verstappen drive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Verstappen will race the <strong>Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO #3<\/strong>, operated by 2 Seas Motorsport under the Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing banner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The GT3 car is based on the Mercedes-AMG GT road-car platform but extensively modified for competition, with racing aerodynamics, slick tyres, a roll cage and endurance-specific components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike a Formula 1 car, the Mercedes features an enclosed cockpit and is designed to be shared by multiple drivers during longer races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The #3 entry competes in the <strong>Pro class<\/strong>, which brings together professional driver line-ups competing for overall honours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The car is part of Verstappen&#8217;s wider racing programme, which also includes simulator competition and driver development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who are Verstappen&#8217;s teammates at Portim\u00e3o?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Verstappen will share the Mercedes with <strong>Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat<\/strong>, both British drivers with experience in GT racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lulham is a regular member of the Verstappen Racing programme and has competed in the GT World Challenge Europe throughout the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Barnicoat brings experience from international GT and endurance racing, including the IMSA SportsCar Championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The line-up has been assembled because regular drivers Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon are unavailable due to their commitments in the FIA World Endurance Championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What time is Max Verstappen racing at Portim\u00e3o?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The GT World Challenge Europe finale takes place on <strong>Saturday, October 17, at 17:00 local time in Portugal<\/strong>, with the race scheduled to last three hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Country or region<\/th><th>Race start<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Portugal (WEST)<\/td><td>Saturday, 17:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>United Kingdom (BST)<\/td><td>Saturday, 17:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Brazil (BRT)<\/td><td>Saturday, 13:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>United States \u2014 Eastern (EDT)<\/td><td>Saturday, 12:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>India (IST)<\/td><td>Saturday, 21:30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Australia \u2014 Melbourne (AEDT)<\/td><td>Sunday, 03:00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>New Zealand (NZDT)<\/td><td>Sunday, 05:00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The weekend also includes practice and qualifying sessions on Friday, October 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to watch Verstappen&#8217;s GT3 race live<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO will broadcast the GT World Challenge Europe event live on GPTV and YouTube<\/strong>, including practice, qualifying and Saturday&#8217;s three-hour race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race begins at <strong>13:00 Bras\u00edlia time<\/strong>, with <strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO&#8217;s coverage scheduled to start at 12:30<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Viewers can follow the event through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@GPTV\">GPTV YouTube channel<\/a>, subject to the applicable broadcast availability in their territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The GT World Challenge Europe also provides official international coverage through its own digital platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For further coverage of Verstappen&#8217;s GT3 programme, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/endurance\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO endurance racing section<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Max Verstappen will race a Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Portim\u00e3o on Saturday, October 17, competing in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup alongside Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat. Here&#8217;s where the Formula 1 champion is racing, when the event starts and how to watch it live.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1001086386,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Max Verstappen","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Red Bull Content Pool","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":7,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[46],"tags":[64,809,605,666],"42wp_author":[7],"class_list":["post-3914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-endurance","tag-max-verstappen","tag-mercedes-amg-gt3","tag-portimao","tag-verstappen-racing","42wp_author-victor-martins"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3914","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3914"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3914\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3915,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3914\/revisions\/3915"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1001086386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3914"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=3914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}