Temi Kings
Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen is taking his passion for GT racing directly into high-level competition, confirming an official entry into the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup finale at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão. Trading his Red Bull F1 machinery for a Mercedes-AMG GT3, the Dutch driver will take the wheel for Verstappen Racing in a three-hour endurance showcase on October 17.
Verstappen will share the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with established GT racers Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat. The opportunity arose as regular team drivers Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon fulfill prior racing commitments, allowing Verstappen to move from his usual managerial role on the pit wall directly into the driver's seat. The Portimão outing falls strategically within a rare gap between intense Formula 1 triple-header schedules, underscoring Verstappen's determination to test his versatility against elite GT3 specialists.
The announcement highlights the rapid expansion of the Verstappen Racing program, which has grown from simulator development into a competitive GT3 operational squad run in partnership with 2 Seas Motorsport. Rather than treating the stint as a exhibition run, Verstappen confirmed his stint will be fully competitive as the team gathers benchmark telemetry for its upcoming endurance racing campaigns.