Max Verstappen could return to GT3 racing at Portimão in October, using the rare free weekend between the Singapore and United States Grands Prix for another outing in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. The Red Bull driver is being linked with the final GT World Challenge event in Portugal, where he could potentially share the car with Chris Lulham and five-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou.
The appearance has not yet been officially confirmed, but it would mark Verstappen’s second major GT3 outing after his impressive Nürburgring 24 Hours debut earlier in 2026. On that occasion, his Mercedes was in contention for victory before a technical failure ended the crew’s hopes late in the race.
Max Verstappen targets another GT3 race at Portimão
The addition of the Malaysian Grand Prix on the first weekend of October has left Formula 1 with an increasingly crowded schedule, but there remains one gap in the middle of the month — and Max Verstappen apparently has no intention of letting it go unused.
According to reports, the Red Bull driver intends to use the free weekend from October 16-18 for a second appearance in the GT World Challenge after competing in the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Verstappen impressed during the German endurance classic, sharing the Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer. Their challenge ultimately unravelled when the car suffered a technical failure, denying the crew the chance to convert its strong performance into victory.
Alex Palou could join Max Verstappen and Chris Lulham
The Portimão weekend also coincides with the penultimate round of the World Endurance Championship in Barcelona. That clash means Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon are expected to be unavailable because of their WEC commitments.
Even without them, the line-up being considered for Verstappen Racing is particularly intriguing. Verstappen is expected to share the Mercedes with Chris Lulham, the driver he helped progress from simulator racing and Team Redline into the GT World Challenge.
The third seat could potentially go to Alex Palou, who has just secured his fifth IndyCar championship. Pairing Verstappen with one of the dominant figures in modern IndyCar would create one of the most eye-catching GT3 line-ups of the season, although the final driver combination has yet to be officially announced.
GT3 race would fit between Singapore and Austin
The timing makes the potential appearance possible despite Verstappen’s Formula 1 commitments. Portimão falls in the free weekend after the Singapore Grand Prix and before the United States Grand Prix in Austin, allowing him to add another endurance racing appearance without missing an F1 event.
Official confirmation is now awaited. If Verstappen does enter the Portimão round, it would add another major attraction to an October already packed with Formula 1 and international motorsport action, while giving the Dutchman another opportunity to pursue his growing ambitions outside Grand Prix racing.
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