Max Verstappen may possibly get back behind the wheel of a GT3 car. Rumors are swirling that the four-time F1 champion will participate in the GT World Challenge final in Portimão. Additionally, five-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou is mentioned as a possible teammate. Although there is still much uncertainty around the busy F1 calendar, Verstappen is currently free to take part in the GT3 race.
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Formula 1 faces a grueling schedule in the coming weeks with eleven races in fourteen weeks. After the upcoming double-header in Monza and Madrid, three triple-headers follow in a row. Reportedly, Verstappen wants to use the free weekend after the Singapore GP to make a trip to the GT World Challenge. He would drive there together with his regular GT3 teammate Chris Lulham, before traveling the following weekend to Texas for the United States GP.
Verstappen’s possible participation is related to the Mercedes lineup. Regular drivers Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, who earlier this year raced with the Dutchman at the Nürburgring, have commitments in the WEC in Barcelona. Meanwhile, Verstappen has confirmed multiple times that he wants to participate more often in GT3 races and included that ambition in his new Red Bull contract. “I would like to do all the big endurance races at least once,” he said during the Dutch GP at Zandvoort. “I would like to do all the big endurance races at least once. 24-hour races in general, those would, yes, be cool to drive in.”
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Mercedes refrains from substantive comment
The GT World Challenge has already adjusted the schedule for the final in Portimão to avoid overlap with the WEC season. Still, Mercedes-AMG, partner of Verstappen’s GT3 team, cannot yet make statements about the final lineup in October. “Mercedes-AMG Motorsport can neither confirm that Max Verstappen will participate in the last GT World Challenge race in Portimão, nor that Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella will miss the race,” said a spokesperson. “We are currently considering various scenarios to ensure that we can effectively participate in Portimão.”
Meanwhile, IndyCar champion Alex Palou is also linked to the lineup. Several sources reported that Verstappen Racing has already approached the Spaniard for a possible collaboration.
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