Verstappen Is Back in a GT3 Car — Because the Calendar Left Him No Choice
Max Verstappen will get back behind the wheel of a GT3 car in October 2026, for the final round of the GT World Challenge at Portimao, Portugal. The four-time Formula 1 champion already has GT racing mileage from the past year, including the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in May, but this particular return comes for a far less romantic reason than love of the sport.
Two of his regular drivers in the GT project can’t make Portimao because the date clashes head-on with the World Endurance Championship’s 6 Hours of Barcelona. Rather than leave the car short-handed, Verstappen simply volunteered to fill in himself — not because his schedule needed another race, but because otherwise the seat would be empty.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a busy seven weeks, but we’ll do it, and I enjoy it anyway,” the Dutchman said, admitting he would have preferred his usual drivers to take the wheel if the calendar had cooperated.
And the rumours that Fernando Alonso might jump in alongside him? Verstappen shut that down without hesitation: “No, he’s not driving with me.”
Source: racingnews365 (https://racingnews365.com/max-verstappen-confirms-gt3-return-at-european-f1-track)
