Max Verstappen will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe (GTWCE) finale in Portimao, Portugal, on Oct. 16-18, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 entered by 2 Seas Motorsport under the Verstappen Racing banner. The race falls between two Formula 1 triple-headers and adds to a schedule that will see the four-time F1 champion contest seven consecutive races between last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the Brazilian Grand Prix on Nov. 8.

The Portimao event will be Verstappen’s first appearance in the SRO-run GT World Challenge series. It is also his first GT3 outing since the Nürburgring 24 Hours in May. He will race in the Pro category, where MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi is set to compete for BMW factory-supported team WRT.

A late change to the World Endurance Championship calendar created the opening for Verstappen to enter the finale. Full-season Verstappen Racing drivers Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella will be unavailable because they are scheduled to race in the Barcelona 6 Hours that weekend, for Alpine and Genesis respectively. The GTWCE Portimao race is a three-round Endurance Cup event.

“I know that two of my drivers won't be part of the line-up. Two other drivers need to step in. I'm looking forward to it,” Verstappen said ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. He confirmed he would be racing himself and said: “Of course, I would have loved to see my normal drivers compete, but the calendar has changed at times. And that's OK. I love Portimao. I love being in Portugal. So we'll try and have a good weekend.”

Chris Lulham is expected to join Verstappen, but the identity of the remaining driver for the Portimao race was not clear. Verstappen ruled out teaming up with Fernando Alonso. He said the coming stretch would be demanding but welcomed the racing: “It's going to be a busy seven weeks, but we'll do it and I enjoy it anyway. So, let's see what we can do there.”

Verstappen has increasingly devoted time to sportscar racing, while his namesake team has expanded its programme for 2026. He plans to return to the Nordschleife next year for a second attempt at the Nürburgring 24 Hours after a late mechanical problem ended his bid for victory in May.

The 29-year-old also intends to add the Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours to his 2027 schedule. He has rejected talk of racing Ford’s new Hypercar at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Based on reporting by Autosport.