Source: Official Team Post via X
Max Verstappen Set for GT World Challenge Finale in Portimao
Max Verstappen is gearing up for the GT World Challenge season finale at Portimao, facing over sixty competitors on the track. This marks his return to GT racing after a challenging stint at the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
The season-ending GT World Challenge event at Portimao will see Max Verstappen return to the GT racing scene. The four-time F1 champion is no stranger to the GT paddock, having previously raced a Mercedes AMG GT3 at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Though a reliability issue dashed his hopes of victory last time, he's ready to tackle the high-stakes environment once more.
This weekend's race at Portimao may not match the Nürburgring's length, clocking in at just three hours, but with over sixty cars competing, the intensity will be palpable. Unlike the Nürburgring, where multiple car classes compete, Portimao's event is divided by driver abilities into Pro, Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories.
Verstappen will be racing with Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing alongside teammates Ben Barnicoat and Chris Lulham in the Pro class. The competition is stiff, with teams like Boutsen VDS, Optimum Motorsport, and Comtoyou Racing fielding strong line-ups across the categories.
The entry list is diverse, including notable names and teams across all classes. In the Pro category, Verstappen's Mercedes will face off against entries like the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO driven by Mattia Drudi, Nicki Thiim, and Ross Gunn, and the BMW M4 GT3 EVO from Team WRT featuring Kelvin van der Linde, Jordan Pepper, and Charles Weerts.
Meanwhile, the Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories are equally competitive. Optimum Motorsport, for example, fields entries in both Gold and Silver categories with McLaren 720S GT3 EVOs, while the Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed's entry in Silver includes Ralf Aron, Maximilian Götz, and Fabian Schiller.
With such a varied entry list, Verstappen and his team will have their work cut out for them. The Portimao circuit promises to be a challenging venue, requiring skillful navigation through the pack and strategic teamwork to reach the podium.
As the GT World Challenge season comes to a close, all eyes will be on Verstappen to see if he can clinch a victory this time around. Whether it's a test of endurance or outright speed, the Portimao round promises to deliver a thrilling finale for the GT racing calendar.