
Rossi and Verstappen Set for First GT3 Clash at Portimao Finale
Valentino Rossi and Max Verstappen will compete against each other for the first time in a GT3 car at the GT World Challenge Europe season finale in Portimao, Portugal, scheduled for October 17, 2026. Rossi, a nine-time motorcycle world champion, expressed excitement about facing the four-time Formula 1 champion, calling him a 'big problem' due to his speed. Verstappen, driving a Red Bull-liveried Mercedes-AMG GT3 with teammates Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat, is entering the race after winning the last two Formula 1 events. The event marks Verstappen's first GT3 appearance since the Nurburgring 24 Hours and will be his seventh consecutive racing weekend.

