Max Verstappen took part in the GT World Challenge Europe during the final round of the 2026 season, held at the Algarve circuit in Portimão, Portugal. Taking advantage of a break in the Formula 1 calendar, the four-time world champion drove for his team, Verstappen Racing.
After qualifying in 15th position, his teammates Ben Barnicoat and Chris Lulham advanced into the top 10. However, a penalty during Lulham’s stint dropped their No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 to 24th place by the time Verstappen took the wheel. A Safety Car period also limited his chances of moving up the field.
Despite these challenges, Verstappen showcased his talent by climbing from 24th to 9th place with remarkable speed and bold overtakes, demonstrating his elite driving skills.
Meanwhile, MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, competing with Team WRT, was penalized in qualifying for exceeding track limits, relegating him to 60th place out of 61. In the race, he finished 50th among 52 classified drivers.
The event attracted a strong audience, with 28,000 spectators on site and a record 9.7 million live views on YouTube, according to GT World Challenge. Formula 1 will return to Portimão in 2027 as part of a two-year agreement.