Max Verstappen returned to GT World Challenge Europe action at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão today, Friday, October 16, 2026. This follows a reprimand and a Behavioural Warning Point issued after an incident in Free Practice 1. Verstappen Racing secured fourth position overall in Free Practice 2.
The #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, shared by Verstappen, Chris Lulham, and Ben Barnicoat, also finished second in the Pro Cup class. Lulham set the car’s fastest time of 1:43.229s during the session.
The stewards investigated Verstappen after a collision during the opening practice session. The incident occurred on his out lap, just three corners into FP1.
Verstappen attempted to pass Ezequiel Pérez Companc in the #25 Saintéloc Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II at Turn 3. He expected the Audi to maintain its outside line.
Pérez Companc stated he was focused on cars ahead and did not see Verstappen on his right. The stewards concluded Verstappen caused an avoidable collision.
They found Verstappen entirely at fault for the contact. Mitigating factors included the incident occurring on the first lap of the session.
Traffic ahead of the Audi also influenced Pérez Companc’s chosen line. The penalty was a formal reprimand and one Behavioural Warning Point.
Accumulating three Behavioural Warning Points results in an automatic grid penalty. This marks Verstappen’s first such point.
In Free Practice 1, Christopher Haase in the #84 Eastalent Racing Audi set the fastest time of 1:42.643. Verstappen’s #3 car finished 20th in that session with a best lap of 1:43.026s.
Free Practice 2 saw the #17 GetSpeed Mercedes lead with a time of 1:42.988s. Ralf Aron was at the wheel of the leading Mercedes.
The #99 Tresor Attempto Racing Audi secured second position with a 1:43.084s. The #65 Comtoyou Aston Martin was third, posting a 1:43.168s.
Less than 0.8 seconds separated the top 28 cars in the competitive session. Verstappen completed the first stint of FP2 before handing over to Ben Barnicoat.
Lulham then took over for the final stages, setting the team’s best time. Verstappen is competing in the final round of the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup.
He is substituting for regular drivers Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon. They are committed to a clashing World Endurance Championship round.
The event at the Algarve International Circuit runs from October 16-18, 2026. Qualifying is scheduled for later today, Friday, October 16.
The three-hour main race will take place on Saturday, October 17, starting at 17:00 local time. Verstappen has stated his ambition to win the event.
This marks his debut in the GT World Challenge Europe series. He previously won his GT3 category debut at the Nürburgring NLS9 round.
Verstappen also led the Nürburgring 24 Hours in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 before a driveshaft failure. The Endurance Cup drivers’ title was already decided at the Nürburgring.
Maro Engel, Lucas Auer, and Luca Stolz secured that crown for Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter. However, overall, Gold Cup, and Bronze Cup titles remain open.
All sessions are streamed live on the GT World YouTube channel. Red Bull also provides a dedicated onboard feed for Verstappen.
