Productive test Verstappen Racing at Portimao

Published on 15 October 2026 by Stefan Meens

Ahead of the final round of the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe at Portimao, Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing took part in a two-hour practice on the Thursday before the event. The team clocked the second fastest time (1:43.076), a tenth adrift of the Getspeed Mercedes-AMG GT3.

In sunny conditions all three drivers of Team Verstappen Racing (Ben Barnicoat, Chris Lulham and Max Verstappen) took to the Portuguese track. Chris was quickest, but more importantly the outfit was able to clock 43 laps without issue. Max gained valuable track time as well clocking his personal best (1:43.6).

The team was able to work through their program including gaining valuable data, working as a team and practicing the driver swaps. All these factors are of importance with all three drivers scheduled to a one hour stint each in Saturday’s three hour race.

“Let’s see what we can do here in Portimão”, said Max at an earlier stage. “It’s a great circuit and I always enjoy Portugal so we’re going to make it a great weekend.”

1:18 and 1:43 scale models of the Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing car and Max’s GT3 helmet (1:2 and 1:4) are available: https://store.verstappen.com/nl/c-17522

Schedule  GT World Challenge Endurance Cup - Portimão, Portugal
Thursday 15 October: 12:50-14.50 Test
Friday 16 October: 09.45-11.15 FP1
Friday 16 October: 13.45-15.15 FP2
Friday 16 October: 18.55-20.05 Qualifying
Saturday 17 October: 18.00-21.00 Race