Max Verstappen prepares for GT3 race against Valentino Rossi at Portimao
Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 1, 2026, 9:18 PM
Last updated Oct 1, 2026

Max Verstappen will return to GT racing on October 17, driving the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the GT World Challenge Europe finale at Portimao. This event marks his first GT3 competition since leading his class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May. Verstappen shares the car with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat, coming into the race with limited preparation time. His participation follows a seat opening due to unspecified circumstances.
- •Verstappen has not raced in a GT3 car since May.
- •He will share driving duties with Lulham and Barnicoat.
- •The race takes place on October 17 at Portimao.
- •Verstappen led his class previously at the Nurburgring 24 Hours.
- 9:18 PMMotorsport.com — The sim rig Max Verstappen swears by ahead of his GT3 race against Rossi
"Max Verstappen hasn't sat in a GT3 car since leading his class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours back in May, and he's about to jump into one against Valentino Rossi with very little lead time. On October 17, he'll climb into the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the GT World Challenge Europe finale at Portimao, sharing driving duties with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat. The seat opened up because ...Keep reading
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