Max Verstappen to join Valentino Rossi for GT World Challenge race on October 17
(Courtesy : Red Bull)
Fresh from back-to-back Formula 1 victories, Verstappen will compete in a three-hour endurance race at Portimão, Portugal, live on Red Bull TV and Red Bull Motorsports YouTube from 9:30 PM IST on October 17.
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Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen will return to GT racing this Saturday, October 17, competing in the season finale of the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal.
Fresh from consecutive Formula 1 victories at the Malaysian and Singapore Grands Prix, Verstappen will switch to the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo of Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing for the three-hour Endurance Cup finale, beginning at 9:30 PM IST.
The Dutchman will share driving duties with full-season Verstappen Racing driver Chris Lulham and experienced British endurance racer Ben Barnicoat, competing against a field of more than 60 GT3 cars representing 10 manufacturers.
“I am looking forward to it,” said Verstappen. “It is going to be a busy seven weeks, but I will enjoy it. Let’s see what we can do at Portimão. I love the track and being in Portugal, so we will try to have a good weekend.”
Where to Watch? Live on Red Bull TV and YouTube
Fans in India can watch the three-hour race live on Red Bull TV and the Red Bull Motorsports YouTube channel, with the action beginning at 9:30 PM IST on Saturday, October 17.
In addition to the global race broadcast, Red Bull Motorsports YouTube will offer a dedicated Max Verstappen onboard feed, giving fans a second-screen experience and a firsthand view of the four-time F1 World Champion behind the wheel of his Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.
Verstappen and Rossi Share the GT Racing Grid
The season finale will also feature nine-time motorcycle racing World Champion Valentino Rossi, who will compete in the #46 BMW M4 GT3 Evo for Team WRT, alongside Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen.
ossi, who retired from MotoGP at the end of 2021, has since established himself in GT racing, competing internationally with BMW. His presence alongside Verstappen brings together two of motorsport’s most recognisable names from Formula 1 and MotoGP.
Verstappen has increasingly pursued sportscar racing alongside his Formula 1 commitments. Earlier this year, he competed in the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring alongside established GT drivers Jules Gounon, Dani Juncadella and Lucas Auer.
Portimão presents another opportunity for Verstappen to compete against specialist endurance racers, with three drivers sharing a single car during the three-hour contest.
Verstappen Racing’s Endurance Line-up
Verstappen joins the team’s endurance line-up in place of regular drivers Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella, who are unavailable due to a scheduling clash with the FIA World Endurance Championship finale in Barcelona.
Barnicoat brings extensive GT racing experience, having previously raced for McLaren before joining Lexus in 2022. The British driver won the GTD Pro class title in the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2023 alongside Jack Hawksworth.
Event Details
- Event: GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS — Endurance Cup Finale
- Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Race Start: 9:30 PM IST (5:00 PM local time)
- Circuit: Algarve International Circuit, Portimão, Portugal
- Format: Three-hour endurance race
- Verstappen’s Car: #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo
- Verstappen’s Teammates: Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat
- Live Broadcast: Red Bull TV and Red Bull Motorsports YouTube
- Additional Feed: Dedicated Max Verstappen onboard stream on Red Bull Motorsports YouTube
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