Four-time Formula 1 World Champion
Coming off the back of consecutive Formula 1 victories in Malaysia and Singapore, Verstappen is eager to test his skills in the competitive GT3 field. He will be sharing driving duties for Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing alongside regular team driver Chris Lulham and British endurance specialist Ben Barnicoat. The trio will face a challenging field featuring over 60 cars from 10 different manufacturers in the three-hour contest.
A Star-Studded Grid in Portugal
The race at Portimão carries added intrigue as it brings together two of the most iconic figures in modern motorsport. Nine-time motorcycle racing world champion
Verstappen’s participation comes as he continues to expand his racing portfolio beyond the Formula 1 circuit. Earlier this year, he participated in the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. For this weekend's finale, he steps into the team's endurance lineup to cover for regular drivers Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella, who are sidelined due to a scheduling conflict with the FIA World Endurance Championship finale in Barcelona.
Broadcast and Race Details
Fans can follow the action live starting at 9:30 PM IST on Saturday, October 17. The race will be broadcast globally via Red Bull TV and the Red Bull Motorsports YouTube channel. In a unique offering for viewers, the YouTube stream will also provide a dedicated onboard camera feed, allowing fans to experience the race from inside Verstappen’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.
Reflecting on the upcoming challenge, Verstappen expressed his enthusiasm for the event. He noted that while the next seven weeks of his schedule are demanding, he is looking forward to returning to the Portuguese circuit, a track he holds in high regard. His teammate for the weekend, Ben Barnicoat, brings significant pedigree to the entry, having secured the 2023 GTD Pro class title in the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
