Max Verstappen is set to return to GT racing later this month with a two-week gap between the Singapore GP and the United States GP. As per the reports, the Dutchman will team up with five-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou to race in GT World Challenge Europe.
Verstappen will participate in the final round of the GT World Challenge Europe (GTWCE), set to take place in Portimao on Saturday 17 October. Rumors around the Dutchman’s interest in racing in the series had been circling the paddock.
After the disappointing result at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, where Max Verstappen and Co. retired from the race whilst being in contention for the win, the Red Bull star confirmed at the Bahrain GP in Malaysia that he will be racing the Mercedes AMG GT3 in the (GTWCE).
Alex Palou will reportedly partner the four-time F1 champion. The Spaniard has experience racing the Mercedes AMG GT3 at the 2024 GT World Challenge America race at Indianapolis.
However, unlike the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, which was a wishlist race for Max Verstappen, the participation in the GTWCE finale at Portimao has risen out of necessity. Verstappen Racing fielded the Mercedes AMG GT3 in GTWCE with Chris Lulham, Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon being the permanent drivers.
While Lulham is still available, Juncadella and Gounon have a clash with the World Endurance Championship round In Barcelona the same weekend. As a result, Max Verstappen and Alex Palou will step in, fielding a super team for the Verstappen Racing Mercedes AMG GT3
Speaking with the media at the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, Verstappen explained,
“I know that two of my drivers won’t be part of the line-up, so two other drivers need to step in. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a busy seven weeks, but we’ll do it, and I enjoy it anyway. Let’s see what we can do there.”
Unlike the 24 Hour race in Nurburgring, the GTWCE race in Portimao will only be a three-hour race.
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Max Verstappen details one wish that he wants to accomplish before the 2026 F1 season ends
Red Bull had the fourth-fastest car at the beginning of the 2026 F1 season with the new regulations. However, over the season, with upgrades, the Milton Keynes-based outfit now has the second- or third-fastest car depending on the track layout.
Max Verstappen, speaking with Formula 1, detailed his wish to win a race before the 2026 season ends.
“Unfortunately, we’re not outscoring Mercedes. They’re actually the fastest ones, or at least they were for most of the season. But yeah, I’m trying everything I can. We are scoring quite a few podiums now, but I want to win,” said Verstappen
“That’s what I’m here for, and I’m getting close, but I want at least to win one race this year, so I hope we can do it, of course, at some point. We have some solid results,” he added
Red Bull’s pace was evident at last weekend’s Azerbaijan GP, where Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar finished on the podium.
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