Max Verstappen makes his GT World Challenge powered by AWS debut this weekend at Portimão as part of the #3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing line-up. The Dutchman spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon, shortly after taking part in testing at the Portuguese track.
“I don’t mind stepping in”
Asked about his first reaction to joining the grid, Verstappen recalled his ties with Portugal: “I’ve always loved being in Portugal and I’ve spent time here with friends and family. When I saw the calendar clash [between GT World Challenge and the FIA World Endurance Championship], I was like, ‘I don’t mind stepping in!’ It’s a brilliant track and a great environment to come to for fans and families. It’s a very beautiful place.”
First impressions of the Mercedes-AMG GT3
On Thursday’s testing, the driver admitted his references come from the Nürburgring Nordschleife, so it took a bit of time to get used to the car at this track. But he praised its balance: “The Mercedes-AMG GT3 is very well-balanced and it has proven over the last few years that it’s also very competitive. Today we were just fine-tuning a few details. It’s still quite hot for this time of year and you have to take that into account as well. Of course, you want to go faster. For myself, I’m getting up to speed and the more laps I do, the better it gets.”
The GT3 concept and endurance racing
Asked about GT3 as a concept, with such an even field between manufacturers, Verstappen pointed to the endurance side: “Sharing the car with teammates is something that I’ve not really done in my career so far. I got a taste at the Nordschleife and I really enjoyed that. To get the first opportunity here now, in GT World Challenge, is exciting.”
Team-mates: Barnicoat and Lulham
He raced Ben Barnicoat in karting: “We raced a lot against each other. Then our careers went in different directions, but it’s good to catch up and it’s nice to be able to share the car together.” Of Chris Lulham, known from the sim racing world, he said: “I’ve worked with him a long time in sim racing and now he’s here competing for real. Every race he is making more progress, getting more and more experience, and proving himself among the big boys in the paddock.”
A very high level
On the standard of drivers in GT World Challenge, Verstappen called it “very high”: “Some of them I’ve raced already in the past when we were younger. Some are a bit older than me, but they’ve achieved a lot all over the world. The level shows why there are so many cars on the grid: you want to compete in one of the highest GT championships.”
Asked about Alex Palou, who raced the Indy 8 Hour last week and couldn’t believe how close the competition was, he said that is what you get when so many experienced drivers race these GT3 cars day in, day out, so the gaps are very small. “I’m getting a bit out of my comfort zone driving this type of car, but I love it. I love competing in all types of categories.” As for Palou, he has raced him online but not yet in real life, and hopes to one day.
The 24 Hours of Spa on the horizon
Next year there is no clash between Formula 1 and the 24 Hours of Spa, so he was asked whether we might see him there: “I love Spa of course, so I’m trying to make it work, as I want to arrive well prepared. I’m going to try my best to be there. It’s close to the Dutch border and I’m also half Belgian. For me it would be nice to join and to race in one of the biggest endurance events of the year.”
The weekend’s objective
“To have fun, obviously, but also the competitive animal wants to do well, right? We’re here to win. That’s always the target,” Verstappen concluded. The entire Portimão event can be watched live on the GT World YouTube channel.
