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Max Verstappen Climbs from 24th to Ninth in GTWC Europe Debut
Max Verstappen’s GT World Challenge Europe debut ended in ninth at Portimão: after a drive through penalty dropped the No. The No.
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Key takeaways
- Max Verstappen’s GT World Challenge Europe debut ended in ninth at Portimão: after a drive through penalty dropped the No.
- The No. 17 GetSpeed Mercedes AMG, driven by Fabian Schiller, Ralf Aron and Maxi Götz, won the season finale.
- Verstappen said he was trying to make a 2027 Spa 24 Hours entry work; it was an ambition, not a confirmed start.
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openai.comCreate a landscape editorial hero image for this Studio Global article: How did four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen’s GT World Challenge Europe debut unfold in the season-ending three-hour race at Portimã. Article summary: Max Verstappen’s GT World Challenge Europe debut at Portimão ended in ninth after a drive-through penalty left his No. 3 Mercedes-AMG outside the top 20; his final-stint recovery took him from 24th to ninth. [3][5] The a. Topic tags: general, general web. Style: premium digital editorial illustration, source-backed research mood, clean composition, high detail, modern web publication hero. Use reference image context only for broad subject, composition, and topical grounding; do not copy the exact image. Avoid: logos, brand marks, copyrighted characters, real person likenesses, fake screenshots, UI text, readable text, watermarks, charts with fake numbers, clic
Max Verstappen’s GT World Challenge Europe debut at Portimão finished with a recovery drive rather than a podium. After teammate Chris Lulham’s drive-through penalty sent the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG down to 24th, Verstappen climbed back to ninth in the final stint. 2
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Why Verstappen joined the Portimão race
The season finale fell during a pause between Formula 1 grands prix. The weekend also coincided with a World Endurance Championship round at Barcelona-Catalunya. Verstappen shared the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat. 1
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Practice and qualifying: pace, a reprimand and setup trouble
The team was classified 20th in opening practice, and Verstappen received a reprimand and one behavioural warning point after contact with Ezequiel Pérez Companc’s No. 25 Audi. 21
23 The car later showed stronger pace, finishing fourth in the second practice session.
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Qualifying was more difficult. The three drivers’ fastest laps were averaged, leaving the Mercedes 15th with a combined time of 1:42.624. Verstappen set the car’s quickest individual lap, 1:42.093. 9 Reports said the car bounced and had handling problems after setup changes.
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Rival penalties changed the team’s position before the race: Verstappen Racing’s race report says Barnicoat started from 13th. 34
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A penalty turns the race into a recovery drive
Barnicoat moved the car up to eighth before handing over to Lulham. Lulham then advanced to sixth, but spun Luca Stolz’s No. 48 Mercedes during an overtaking attempt. The resulting drive-through penalty dropped the No. 3 car to 24th. 8
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Verstappen took over for the final stint with about 45 minutes remaining. He worked through the field to finish ninth overall, gaining 15 places from where he rejoined. 2
7 It was a substantial recovery, but the penalty had undone the team’s earlier progress.
GetSpeed takes the win; Spa remains a possibility
The race was won by the No. 17 GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG shared by Fabian Schiller, Ralf Aron and Maxi Götz. 7
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Looking ahead, Verstappen said he was trying to make a start in the 2027 Spa 24 Hours work with his schedule. That was a stated goal, not a confirmed entry. 18
44 He has also ruled out a Le Mans 24 Hours bid for now.
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What is the short answer to "Max Verstappen Climbs from 24th to Ninth in GTWC Europe Debut"?
Max Verstappen’s GT World Challenge Europe debut ended in ninth at Portimão: after a drive through penalty dropped the No.
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Max Verstappen’s GT World Challenge Europe debut ended in ninth at Portimão: after a drive through penalty dropped the No. The No. 17 GetSpeed Mercedes AMG, driven by Fabian Schiller, Ralf Aron and Maxi Götz, won the season finale.
What should I do next in practice?
Verstappen said he was trying to make a 2027 Spa 24 Hours entry work; it was an ambition, not a confirmed start.
Sources
motorsportweek.comMax Verstappen assists in #3 recovery drive in GT Portimao debut
news.verstappen.comVerstappen Racing finishes in P9 after spectacular race in Portimao
sports.yahoo.comLIVEBLOG | Follow here for updates on Verstappen Racing at GT ...
pitdebrief.comVerstappen targets 2026 GTWC Europe Portimão victory and eyes 2027 24 Hours of Spa debut