Max Verstappen and Valentino Rossi Share the Grid at GT World Challenge Europe Finale in Portimão

Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen and nine-time motorcycle racing World Champion Valentino Rossi will line up in the same race this Saturday, October 17. The occasion is the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup finale at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal. Between them, the two men own 13 world titles.

The three-hour race starts at 9:30 PM IST (5:00 PM local time) and will be broadcast live on Red Bull TV and the Red Bull Motorsports YouTube channel.

Max Verstappen Switches From F1 Wins to GT3 Endurance Racing

Verstappen arrives in Portugal fresh from back-to-back Formula 1 victories at the Malaysian and Singapore Grands Prix. Rather than taking a break, he will swap his F1 car for the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo run by Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing.

He knows the schedule ahead is demanding, but he is looking forward to the weekend.

"I am looking forward to it," said Verstappen. "It is going to be a busy seven weeks, but I will enjoy it. Let's see what we can do at Portimão. I love the track and being in Portugal, so we will try to have a good weekend."

Who Is Driving With Max Verstappen at Portimão?

Verstappen will share the car with full-season Verstappen Racing driver Chris Lulham and experienced British endurance racer Ben Barnicoat. In endurance racing, three drivers share a single car across the race, which puts Verstappen up against specialists who race this format week in, week out.

Barnicoat brings extensive GT experience. He previously raced for McLaren before joining Lexus in 2022, and won the GTD Pro class title in the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2023 alongside Jack Hawksworth.

Why Max Verstappen Is Replacing Gounon and Juncadella

Verstappen is joining the team's endurance line-up in place of regular drivers Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella. The pair are unavailable because of a scheduling clash with the FIA World Endurance Championship finale in Barcelona.

Both drivers were part of Verstappen's line-up earlier this year at the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, alongside Lucas Auer. That race was part of Verstappen's growing sportscar programme, which he has pursued alongside his Formula 1 commitments.

Valentino Rossi Is Also on the Entry List

The grid has another headline name. Valentino Rossi, who retired from MotoGP at the end of 2021, will drive the #46 BMW M4 GT3 Evo for Team WRT, alongside Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen.

Since leaving two wheels behind, Rossi has established himself in GT racing, competing internationally with BMW. His presence at Portimão puts two of the most recognisable names in Formula 1 and MotoGP in the same field.

A Packed Field of More Than 60 GT3 Cars

Verstappen and Rossi will not be racing in isolation. The field features more than 60 GT3 cars representing 10 manufacturers, making Portimão a demanding test over three hours for drivers and teams.

Where to Watch Verstappen and Rossi in India

Fans in India can watch the race live on Red Bull TV and the Red Bull Motorsports YouTube channel from 9:30 PM IST on Saturday, October 17.

Red Bull Motorsports YouTube will also run a dedicated Max Verstappen onboard feed, giving viewers a second-screen view from inside his Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.

GT World Challenge Europe Portimão: Event Details

- Event: GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, Endurance Cup finale
- Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
-Race start: 9:30 PM IST (5:00 PM local time)
- Circuit: Algarve International Circuit, Portimão, Portugal
- Format: Three-hour endurance race
- Verstappen's car: #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo
- Verstappen's team-mates: Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat
- Rossi's car: #46 BMW M4 GT3 Evo (Team WRT, with Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen)
- Live broadcast: Red Bull TV and Red Bull Motorsports YouTube
- Additional feed: Dedicated Max Verstappen onboard stream on Red Bull Motorsports YouTube