Max Verstappen will return to the track today, 17 October, for the GT World Challenge Europe season finale at Portimão. The four-time Formula 1 world champion will compete in a three-hour endurance race, with Verstappen Racing starting from 15th place following a disappointing qualifying performance on Friday.
The Dutchman is competing at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve alongside Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat, sharing the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3. After a busy Friday featuring two free practice sessions and qualifying, the trio will now turn their attention to Saturday's race.
Verstappen's participation has attracted considerable attention, with the Red Bull Racing driver taking on established GT competitors and other familiar motorsport names, including nine-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi and Ferrari driver Arthur Leclerc.
What time does Verstappen race at Portimao on Saturday?
The GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup finale will take place on Saturday, 17 October, with the race scheduled to begin at 18:00 CEST (17:00 BST).
The race will last three hours, meaning the chequered flag is expected at approximately 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST), assuming there are no significant interruptions. The race will begin in daylight before continuing into the evening, with the final stages taking place after sunset.
GPblog will offer live text coverage throughout the race, bringing you all the latest updates, key moments and results as Max Verstappen and his teammates battle their way through the field at Portimão.
Photo: SRO/JEP
Verstappen Racing faces difficult race after disappointing qualifying
Friday's qualifying session proved frustrating for Verstappen Racing, despite encouraging signs earlier in the day. The team initially finished 20th in FP1, before improving considerably in the second practice session. Lulham set the #3 Mercedes-AMG's fastest lap in FP2, securing fourth place with a time of 1:43.229. However, the team struggled to reproduce that performance in qualifying.
Unlike Formula 1, the GT World Challenge Europe qualifying format uses the average of three drivers' fastest lap times to determine the starting grid.
Barnicoat took the wheel in Q1 but could only manage 21st place, finishing around six tenths behind the fastest driver, Morris Schuring. Lulham then completed Q2 in 16th position, leaving Verstappen with considerable ground to recover in the final qualifying segment. The Dutchman recorded a 1:42.665 in Q3, but his performance was not enough to move the team significantly up the combined classification.
Verstappen Racing ultimately finished 15th, while the #2 Boutsen VDS Porsche of Morris Schuring, Dorian Boccolacci and Alessio Picariello secured pole position with an average lap time of 1:42.071. The #17 GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG qualified second, ahead of the #80 Lionspeed GP Porsche.
Verstappen prepares for three-hour endurance challenge
Saturday's race will present a different challenge from the qualifying session, with Verstappen, Lulham and Barnicoat sharing driving duties throughout the three-hour event.
Unlike a Formula 1 Grand Prix, driver changes will form part of the race strategy, alongside tyre management, pit stops and navigating traffic. Starting from 15th place, Verstappen Racing will need to make progress through the field if the team is to challenge the leading cars.
The race will also feature Valentino Rossi, who experienced his own qualifying difficulties on Friday when his Q2 lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits.