The GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup is set to close its 2026 season with a three-hour showdown at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao. While the championship title has already been secured by the trio of Maro Engel, Lucas Auer and Luca Stolz in the #48 Winward Mercedes-AMG, the event has attracted worldwide attention for a completely different reason: the long-awaited GT3 debut of Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen.
Verstappen will take the wheel of the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo sharing duties with regular team-mate Chris Lulham and reserve driver Ben Barnicoat. This marks his first appearance in a GT3 car since the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours, and his inaugural start in the GT World Challenge series. His participation follows the reshuffle of the Barcelona WEC round, which saw his usual co-drivers Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon diverted to the rescheduled World Endurance Championship race.
Race programme and broadcasting details
The weekend itinerary is compact. Free practice sessions are slated for Friday, 16 October: FP1 from 08:45 to 10:15 and FP2 from 12:45 to 14:15 local time. Qualifying follows at 17:55-19:05, also on Friday. The main three-hour endurance contest will kick off on Saturday, 17 October at 17:00 and run until approximately 20:00, meaning the finish will occur as daylight fades, adding a distinctive twilight atmosphere to the finale.
For fans unable to attend in person, SRO’s official YouTube channel, GT World will stream the entire event at no cost. The support programme on Sunday includes the GT2 European SeriesMcLaren Trophy Europe and the GT4 European Series ensuring a full weekend of GT action for viewers.
Entry list highlights and the WEC clash
The official start-grid comprises 61 cars, split across Pro, Gold, Silver and Bronze classes. While the championship battle is already settled, the composition of the field reflects the clash with the concurrent Barcelona WEC round. Drivers such as Maxime Martin, Marco Sorensen, Dan Harper, Sean Gelael, Nicklas Nielsen and Alessio Rovera have opted to focus on the endurance championship, leaving vacant seats that have been filled by other talent.
Notably, former F1 competitor Nikita Mazepin will join Motopark’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 entry for a guest appearance, sharing the car with Philip Ellis and Dominik Baumann. The #46 WRT BMW M4, driven by MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi will line up alongside the Mercedes-AMG, creating a rare intersection of motorsport icons on the same grid.
Other regulars crossing over from the WEC include Mattia Drudi (Comtoyou Aston Martin) and Darren Leung (Paradine Competition BMW). Several reserve and substitute drivers have been named: Ralf Aron replaces Maxime Martin in the #17 GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG, while Albert Costa steps into the #50 AF Corse Ferrari in place of Sean Gelael.
Why Verstappen’s appearance matters
Beyond the novelty of a Formula 1 champion competing in a GT3 endurance race, Verstappen’s involvement is expected to drive unprecedented exposure to the series. The GT World Challenge Europe already enjoys a solid fan base, but the presence of a world-renowned driver at a historic Portuguese venue—returning to the calendar for the first time since 2015—should elevate viewership and sponsor interest.
Portimao’s layout, featuring 15 turns and a 4.635 km length, offers a blend of fast straights and technical sections that will challenge the Mercedes-AMG’s handling characteristics. With temperatures projected to stay above 20 °C throughout the weekend and no rain expected, teams can concentrate on tyre strategy and driver stints rather than weather-related adjustments.
