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Max Verstappen Set for Mercedes GT3 Return, Hunting Star Teammate
Highlights
- Max Verstappen may race Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Portimão, October 16-18
- Verstappen expected to share car with Chris Lulham
- Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon likely unavailable due to WEC
- Alex Palou is a strong candidate for third driver role
- Verstappen balances GT3 racing with Singapore and US Grand Prix
- Mercedes reviewing options; no official confirmation on driver lineup
Max Verstappen is poised to return to GT racing with a Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Portimão on October 16-18, per reports, aligning with his recent stance on diversifying commitments.
He is expected to share the car with Chris Lulham, while the third seat remains open as Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon face clashing World Endurance Championship duties.
Verstappen targeted for Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Portimão, October 16-18.
IndyCar champion Alex Palou emerges as a leading option, with availability post-season and multi-class experience complementing Verstappen’s sprint speed and Lulham’s GT3 mileage.
Mercedes is evaluating lineup permutations to retain a Pro-calibre entry for the finale, balancing familiarity, pace, and stint consistency, with the team reviewing different scenarios.
The calendar intensifies the challenge. Verstappen races in Singapore the previous weekend and heads to the United States Grand Prix immediately after Portimão, compressing preparation and recovery windows.
Mercedes states it is reviewing scenarios for Portimão; no official driver confirmation yet.
Earlier this year, Verstappen shared endurance duties with Juncadella and Gounon, building GT3 familiarity that reduces adaptation risk despite limited practice at a demanding Algarve layout.
Should Palou join, the trio blends F1 racecraft, IndyCar traffic management, and sim-proven GT3 knowledge, a package well-suited to mixed-ability grids and evolving balance-of-performance windows.
Strategically, Verstappen’s inclusion boosts visibility for the GT World Challenge finale while giving Mercedes another benchmark to validate setup directions against tyre-peak sensitivity and stint-length trade-offs.
[pb_fervogear_custom]A Verstappen–Palou–Lulham trio would unite F1, IndyCar, and GT3 strengths for endurance demands at Portimão.[/pb_fervogear_custom]
Officially, Mercedes indicates it is reviewing options for Portimão, while Verstappen’s contract latitude for non‑F1 appearances allows selective GT3 outings within his long‑term Red Bull agreement.
Alex Palou is a leading candidate to complete the Mercedes-AMG GT3 lineup.
Visual Summary
Verstappen Leaps from F1 to GT3?
📅
Oct 13: Singapore GP | Oct 16-18: Portimão GT3 | Oct 25: US GP
Oct 13: Singapore GP | Oct 16-18: Portimão GT3 | Oct 25: US GP
Mercedes-AMG GT3
Portimão • Oct 16-18
Possible Driver Lineup
1️⃣
Max Verstappen
🇳🇱
Max Verstappen
🇳🇱
2️⃣
Chris Lulham
🇬🇧
Chris Lulham
🇬🇧
3️⃣
???
⏳
Maybe: Alex Palou 🇪🇸
???
⏳
Maybe: Alex Palou 🇪🇸
F1 → GT3
Verstappen aims to mix F1, endurance and GT racing—again.
3 big races, in 10 days
16-18 Oct: Portimão GT3 ⏩
13 Oct: Singapore GP ⏩
25 Oct: US GP
13 Oct: Singapore GP ⏩
25 Oct: US GP
Verstappen’s daring schedule: F1 ➔ GT3 ➔ F1
F1 star breaks the mold, one cross-discipline race at a time.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
