Thiim takes cheeky F1 swipe as Verstappen races GT3 at Portimao finale

Nicki Thiim delivered a pointed dig at Formula 1’s troubled 2026 power unit regulations after Max Verstappen turned up as a surprise entry at the GT World Challenge Europe season finale, the Portimao 3 Hours.

The Dane, who qualified ninth in the #7 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 alongside Mattia Drudi and Ross Gunn, was effusive in his praise for the four-time world champion — but could not resist the jab. “He probably wants to race a proper race car, not those electric things that he’s been running around with,” Thiim said.

The comment lands in a context that F1 insiders will recognise. The series’ incoming 2026 regulations mandate a 50:50 power split between the internal combustion engine and electric motor, a formula that has already drawn criticism from Verstappen himself and prompted rule amendments pencilled in for 2027 and beyond.

Thiim was quick to frame his quip within genuine admiration. “Obviously, it’s super nice that he’s here. I love his racing mindset — he just wants to go out there and race whatever it takes, whatever he gets his hands on,” the Aston Martin driver added. He also noted the commercial upside for a championship that has historically struggled to attract mainstream attention: “I expect a lot of young people will be super interested and watch it closely.”

The sentiment was shared across the Portimao paddock. BMW factory driver Jordan Pepper, starting 14th in the #32 WRT BMW M4 GT3 Evo alongside Sheldon van der Linde and Charles Weerts, offered his own assessment of Verstappen’s presence. “He’s really got nothing to gain here, coming to play with us in GT World. It also just shows the level that we’re at,” the South African said.

Pepper was unequivocal about where Verstappen stands among his peers. “In my opinion, he’s the best of our generation, no matter what he jumps into. He showed that at the Nurburgring with what he did this year. But it’s just really cool that he’s taking an off weekend, coming to GT, and putting a real spotlight on what we have here.”

For Thiim and his Comtoyou crew, the occasion carries its own competitive weight beyond the celebrity sideshow. The team holds a position in the fight for second place in the championship standings, making the 61-car season finale at Portimao a significant race in its own right. The three-hour contest is scheduled to start at 5:00 PM local time on Saturday.