Max Verstappen and Valentino Rossi are set to race each other at Portimão in the final round of the GT World Challenge Europe season, bringing two of motorsport’s biggest names together on the same track. Rossi will drive the Team WRT BMW M4 GT3, while Verstappen is set to make his debut in the category at the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3.
The event will offer a rare opportunity to see the Formula 1 star and motorcycle racing legend competing directly against each other. Both will race in the same category, meaning there is a genuine possibility of the pair meeting on track during the race.
Valentino Rossi relishes chance to race Max Verstappen
Saturday, October 17 in Portugal will bring the much-anticipated meeting between Max Verstappen and Valentino Rossi, two multiple champions from different areas of motorsport.
Verstappen will make his debut in the GT World Challenge Europe as part of a field of around 60 cars in the Portimão season finale. Rossi, meanwhile, is already an established presence in the championship and spoke enthusiastically to Sky about the opportunity to race the Dutchman.
“It will be incredible. I never imagined I would race against Max Verstappen,” Valentino Rossi said. “It will be a big problem because he will be incredibly fast. But it will be fantastic to have him there. I hope I get the chance to follow him and see how he drives.”
Max Verstappen has never met Valentino Rossi
Max Verstappen is continuing to race whenever opportunities arise away from Formula 1, and the Portimão event will give him another chance to enjoy GT competition.
The Dutchman was also asked about Valentino Rossi between Formula 1 races and revealed that the two have never actually met.
Verstappen praised the Italian and said he hopes they can speak before the race.
“I hope to meet Valentino. He seems like a good guy, I’d like to say hello and have a chat with him.”
His attitude changes when it comes to the race itself.
“I hope instead that I don’t see him during the race, because that wouldn’t be a good sign. I hope I don’t meet anyone. That would mean I’m out in front.”
Verstappen wants to win in GT racing too
The reasoning behind Verstappen’s comments is straightforward. The Dutchman is accustomed to competing for victory and intends to approach his GT3 appearance with the same mentality.
He does not want to be running behind Rossi, or indeed any of the other competitors in the large Portimão field.
Speaking previously in Malaysia, Verstappen also discussed his growing interest in GT racing.
“The grid is competitive. I got my first taste at the Nürburgring, now I’ll try Portimão. I’m going to enjoy it. Compared with Formula 1 it is very different, and I like it. The circuit is nice, so I’ll try to have fun.”
What Max Verstappen and Valentino Rossi will drive at Portimão
Max Verstappen will race a Mercedes-AMG GT3 carrying number 3 on the bonnet for Verstappen Racing. His team-mates will be Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat.
After victories in Malaysia and Singapore, Verstappen will now look to enjoy himself in GT racing while also testing himself against a highly competitive field.
Valentino Rossi will compete in his BMW M4 GT3 in the Pro class with Team WRT, sharing the car with Neil Verhagen and Max Hesse.
With Verstappen and Rossi competing in the same category, there is a realistic chance the two motorsport stars will encounter each other during the race. For Rossi, that would provide a valuable opportunity to observe Verstappen’s driving at close quarters. For Verstappen, however, the ideal scenario is rather different: if he does not see Rossi or anyone else ahead of him, it probably means his GT3 debut is going very well.
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