Max Verstappen team-mate issues rivals warning despite qualifying struggles

Verstappen Racing could only manage 15th place in qualifying for the GT World Challenge round at Portimao. Team-mate Ben Barnicoat has confirmed the Mercedes GT3 was hampered by set-up problems.

Qualifying did not go entirely to plan for Verstappen Racing in Portugal. The Mercedes bounced around the circuit, and Max Verstappen could only drag the car up to 15th in Q3. Barnicoat explained afterwards what had gone wrong.

"Yeah, that cost us speed for sure," Barnicoat told GTWorld. "It was a tough session. It felt like we were a bit short on pace.

"We were reasonably high up in the timesheets, but none of us were really happy. We tried a few things then, but unfortunately that didn't quite work out.

"There were a lot of sparks coming off the car, as everyone watching on TV could probably see. The car was bouncing a lot on the straights, so we just didn't quite get the set-up sorted. But it could have been worse than P15. It's a three-hour race."

Competition put on alert Verstappen Racing 'to give it everything'

Despite the problems experienced by Verstappen Racing in qualifying, Barnicoat is confident that the team can fight towards the front. 

As a result, he has put the team's rivals on alert, warning that the outfit are used to finishing in the top positions.

"We're going to give it everything," said Barnicoat. "You know that in these endurance races it's not over until the chequered flag falls. We've got a brilliant driver line-up and a top team, so I still believe we can go for it."

The Briton pointed to the team's recent form. "The team has been running at the front the whole time. We've obviously just come off a podium at the Nürburgring. We know we've got it in us.

"To be honest, I'm still getting used to the Mercedes. There are quite a few differences compared to the Lexus I'm used to. But Max is rock solid, Chris is rock solid, so I'm sure it'll come good.

"We just didn't quite get the set-up fully sorted this time, but we know exactly what caused it and how to fix it. We're winners, and we've even got a four-time world champion in our ranks. We're just going to get back to work and make sure we move forward."