The Formula 1 world champion, Max Verstappen, will make his first appearance in the GT World Challenge Europe during the season finale taking place this weekend at the Portimao circuit.
Following a standout performance at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, where a technical failure prevented victory in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, the Red Bull driver will return to the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Race strategy
This event marks Verstappen’s debut in the highest European GT3 championship. His participation is due to the competition of other Verstappen Racing drivers, Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, in a race of the World Endurance Championship in Barcelona. Juncadella will compete in the Hypercar class, while Gounon will compete with Alpine.
Verstappen will share the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with his sim racing teammate Chris Lulham and the experienced GT driver Ben Barnicoat, who is also joining as a substitute.
The GT World Challenge Europe
Organized by the SRO Motorsports Group, the GT World Challenge Europe is considered the premier competitive level of GT3 racing worldwide, divided into the Sprint Cup and the Endurance Cup. In the latter category, races of three, six, and 24 hours are held.
Despite the high competition in the DTM and in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, many team managers rate the Endurance Cup of the GTWC as the most demanding GT3 championship. With around 20 car models capable of competing for victory, fields feature up to 60 vehicles.
Car models and competition
The championship uses homologated GT3 cars, based on street sports cars. The grid includes models such as the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, Porsche 911 GT3 R, Ferrari 296 GT3, and Audi R8 LMS GT3.
Verstappen, for his part, will drive the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3, maintaining the usual setup of the season. The competition in this weekend’s race is marked by its intensity, with nearly 60 vehicles and renowned drivers on track.
Global interest and notable rivals
Verstappen’s inclusion brings unprecedented global attention to the championship. His presence at the event will attract a new audience, including Formula 1 fans who may discover the world of GT3. Among the rival drivers, notable participants include MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, as well as renowned drivers like Thomas Preining, Mirko Bortolotti, and Lucas Auer.
Although Verstappen is not competing for a championship, his performance in Portimao promises to be one of the major attractions of the final season of GTWC Europe.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_b9aa85c5a492fef188d58575cdebd1c46e884693