Verstappen adds GT3 Portimao race to F1 schedule, setting up Rossi showdown

Max Verstappen will squeeze a GT3 race into the gap between two Formula 1 triple-headers, confirming he will compete at the GT World Challenge Europe finale in Portimao, Portugal on 16-18 October.

The four-time world champion will pilot a Mercedes-AMG GT3 entered by 2 Seas Motorsport under the Verstappen Racing banner — his first appearance in the SRO GT World Challenge series. The outing also sets up a first-ever shared grid with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, who will race in the same Pro category for BMW’s factory-supported WRT team.

Verstappen announced the appearance ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, explaining that a late WEC calendar change forced his hand. Regular Verstappen Racing drivers Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella will be unavailable that weekend, committed to the Barcelona 6 Hours for Alpine and Genesis respectively. “I know that two of my drivers won’t be part of the line-up. Two other drivers need to step in. I’m looking forward to it,” Verstappen said, before confirming he would be one of those replacements.

The Portimao event extends what is already a punishing run of racing for the Dutchman. With the GT3 round added, Verstappen will contest seven consecutive race weekends stretching from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix through to the Brazilian GP on 8 November. “It’s going to be a busy seven weeks, but we’ll do it and I enjoy it anyway,” he said.

The identity of the third driver alongside Verstappen and Chris Lulham for the three-round Endurance Cup race has not yet been confirmed. Verstappen did, however, rule out the possibility of teaming up with Fernando Alonso.

The Portimao outing will be Verstappen’s first GT3 race since the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May, where a late mechanical failure denied his team a likely victory. He has already stated his intention to return to the Nordschleife in 2026 for another attempt at the race, and is planning to add the Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours to his 2027 calendar. A Le Mans Hypercar programme, however, remains off the table for now.

“I love Portimao. I love being in Portugal. So we’ll try and have a good weekend,” Verstappen added.