Max Verstappen will participate in the final round of the GT World Challenge Europe in Portimao. On October 17, the four-time Formula 1 champion will get behind the wheel of the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO of Verstappen Racing and compete in the three-hour Endurance Cup race.
Verstappen will share the car with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicot. The team's main drivers — Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella — will miss the round due to a clash with the WEC race in Barcelona. Therefore, Verstappen decided to take one of the vacant spots himself.
This will be the Dutchman's first start in the GT World Challenge Europe, but not his first experience with GT3. In May, he competed in the Nürburgring 24-hour race alongside Verstappen Racing drivers. Verstappen's own team has been participating in the GT World Challenge since 2025, and this season it moved to the Pro class with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO.
The main feature of the race will be the lineup of participants. Valentino Rossi will compete in the same Pro class in a BMW M4 GT3 EVO for the factory WRT team. Thus, Verstappen and the nine-time motorcycle racing world champion will be on the same track for the first time in this series.
The final in Portimao will take place from October 16–18. Organizers expect about 60 GT3 cars, and the three-hour race itself will be held on October 17.