GT World Challenge: Verstappen and Rossi at Portimão this weekend

Max Verstappen will race the finale of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at Portimão, Portugal, this weekend, 16 to 18 October 2026. The four-time Formula 1 world champion drives the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO run by Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, according to GPFans and Crash.net.

A familiar car and a British crew

Verstappen shares the car with Britons Ben Barnicoat and Chris Lulham. He replaces Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon, the car's regular drivers, who have a WEC commitment in Barcelona the same weekend. He competes in the Pro class, one of four on the grid (Pro, Gold, Silver, Bronze).

It is not his first outing: Crash.net says he already raced the Nürburgring 24 Hours this year. He has just done three F1 races in three weekends, winning the last two in Malaysia and Singapore, with a triple-header in the United States, Mexico and Brazil still to come. Crash.net also notes that he has two F1 podiums at Portimão.

Valentino Rossi on the grid

The entry list also features Valentino Rossi. The seven-time MotoGP world champion, retired since 2021, drives the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO for Team WRT in Pro, alongside Neil Verhagen and Max Hesse. The two will therefore compete in the same class.

Among other notable entries, GPFans lists the #20 Mercedes of Team Motopark, where former F1 driver Nikita Mazepin returns with Dominik Baumann and Philip Ellis.

A grid of 61 cars

The provisional list counts 61 cars, although GPFans' text mentions 60 confirmed entrants and a list still to be finalised. The race lasts three hours and takes place on Saturday.

Tighter paddock rules

Given the expected crowds, the organisers warned media and visitors, according to GPFans (Dutch version):

• walking around the pit boxes is banned with immediate effect;
• no interviews or press moments with Verstappen are scheduled;
• a zero-tolerance policy applies to anyone disturbing mechanics or drivers;
• anyone hanging around garages for a selfie or autograph will lose their media access.

The organisers will share content and video centrally for accredited media.

The bottom line

For Verstappen, it is a GT3 weekend between two F1 rounds, at Portimão, with Valentino Rossi as an opponent in Pro. The editorial team will follow Saturday's race.