Max Verstappen Back in GT Action at Portimao After Stewards' Reprimand

Max Verstappen, fresh off a reprimand and a Behavioural Warning Point from the stewards, took to the track in Portimao for the final round of the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe season. This came after a collision during the opening practice session, where Verstappen's attempt to overtake the #25 Audi at Turn 3 resulted in a spin and a raised hand of frustration from the four-time world champion.

In Friday's FP2 session, Verstappen laid the groundwork for the #3 Mercedes, helping it secure P2 in the Pro Cup class and fourth overall as Chris Lulham set the pace. It was a more composed session for Verstappen and the field, in contrast to the earlier chaos. After his stint, Ben Barnicoat took over, with the car initially holding P8 before slipping to P10 amid some work in the garage.

Chris Lulham returned to the track with roughly 23 minutes to go, with the #3 Mercedes sporting a best time of 1:43.482. As qualifying loomed, he managed to vault the car to fourth overall, second in the Pro Cup class, with a late charge. Meanwhile, the #17 Mercedes led the pack but couldn't fend off Lulham's push, which was just a quarter of a second behind the leader. The #3 Mercedes eventually wrapped up the session in fourth place.

Verstappen's return to GT racing follows his recent F1 triumphs in Bahrain, Malaysia, and Singapore, and a break before F1's next triple-header kicks off at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. It's a busy calendar for the Dutchman, who seems unfazed by the recent stewards' reprimand as he balances his commitments across racing disciplines.