Article

Max Verstappen will make his GT World Challenge Europe debut this weekend, lining up in the Endurance Cup finale at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao.

The four-time Formula 1 world champion is racing for Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, an entry run in partnership with the 2 Seas Motorsport squad.

Verstappen will share the number 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO with British drivers Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat, competing in the series' top-tier Pro class.

The Red Bull driver has stepped in as a late replacement, covering for regular drivers Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon. Both were ruled out by a scheduling clash with the World Endurance Championship round in Barcelona this weekend.

Session times

Track action gets underway on Friday with Free Practice 1, running from 08:45 to 10:15 local time, followed by Free Practice 2 from 12:45 to 14:15.

Qualifying follows later on Friday evening, scheduled between 17:55 and 19:05 local time, which is 18:55 to 20:05 CEST.

The main event is the three-hour endurance race on Saturday, October 17, starting at 17:00 local time (18:00 CEST) and running into the evening darkness until 20:00 local time.

Portugal sits on Western European Summer Time, one hour behind Central European Summer Time, so fans checking listings elsewhere in Europe should account for the difference.

Where to watch

All sessions, from practice through to the race, are streamed free worldwide on the official GTWorld YouTube channel and the series' own website. Coverage is also available via Red Bull TV.

Also interesting:

Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding as they look back on last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix! Max Verstappen's Marina Bay masterclass is a lead talking point, as is F1's deadline approaching to make a call on how the 2026 season will end.

Rather watch this podcast? Then Click here!

Most read

LIVE: Max Verstappen takes on GT World Challenge in Portimao - Free Practice 1

LIVE ONBOARD: Max Verstappen hits the track for GT World Challenge in Portimao - Free Practice 1

How to watch Max Verstappen's GT World Challenge debut in Portimao

F1 Podcast

'Scary’ Max Verstappen scenario as F1 deadline awaits

Abu Dhabi GP issue defiant F1 message as Middle East crisis continues

Liam Lawson opens door to major motorsport event: 'Something I'd love to do'

Max Verstappen explains Kelly Piquet feelings towards racing outside F1

South African minister fires punchy response after Rwanda handed major F1 contract

F1 slated as African GP battle heats up: 'What kind of thinking is that?'

Max Verstappen resurgence backed to swat aside George Russell and Lewis Hamilton

In this article

Join the conversation!

Never miss a thing from the Formula 1 season! Add the 2026 F1 schedule to your calendar at the touch of a button. Subscribe below and put the dates and times of every race directly on your PC or smartphone, so you don't miss a second from the new season.

Download the F1 calendar Download the F1 calendar

A variant with just the race and qualifying is also available.
Click here to download it..