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Max Verstappen was not the only driver in Portugal last weekend carrying a surname deeply woven into Formula 1 history. Lorenzo Patrese, son of former Grand Prix ace Riccardo Patrese, was also on the grid. At just 21 years old, the young Italian has already built an impressive resume behind the wheel of GT3 machinery and relished the prospect of going wheel-to-wheel with the Dutch superstar.
Patrese Jr. pivoted towards endurance racing at an early stage. Following Formula 4 campaigns in 2020 and 2021 with the outfit run by Marco Antonelli—father of Andrea Kimi Antonelli—he made the switch to sports cars. The transition was immediate, leading to outings at prestigious events like the 24 Hours of Spa, the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Bathurst 12 Hour. This season, the Italian is competing for Kessel Racing in the GT World Challenge Europe, driving the No. 74 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo.
“It’s fantastic to have Max here,” Patrese remarked at Portimão. “I get the feeling he might actually be enjoying his GT racing even more than Formula 1 this year! Having said that, his last few F1 outings have been pretty flawless, too.”
“I'd love to go head-to-head with Max out on track one day. I probably wouldn't match his pace, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, and it would be an incredible battle,” smiled the 21-year-old, who has already gained extensive experience across various cars and categories.
Despite his extensive endurance pedigree, Patrese has yet to contest the iconic 24 Hours of Nürburgring, where the four-time world champion is set to make his debut in May. “We’ll see what the future holds. It would be amazing, but Max knows the Nordschleife far better and holds a massive advantage there,” admitted the Italian, noting that he, too, has put in countless virtual laps on the simulator.
Fathers and Sons in Motorsport: A Delicate Balance
The two drivers also share another common bond: both are the sons of former Formula 1 racers. Riccardo Patrese amassed 256 Grand Prix starts over an illustrious career that included stints with Alfa Romeo and Williams, giving him an intimate understanding of top-tier motorsport.
“I think my father always found the perfect balance—he never got in the way, but he was always there when I needed him. That was crucial when I was starting out, particularly because I got into karting quite late,” Lorenzo explained. “He was right beside me through Formula 4 and my early GT seasons. Over the last two and a half years, though, he only comes to a handful of races. He did that deliberately to give me space to develop independently.”
“GT racing is a discipline he understands to some degree, but not in minute detail. Because of that, his advice focused mainly on communication and how to be an effective team player, rather than driving technique itself. He saw I was becoming more self-reliant on that front. He managed it brilliantly—offering support without applying unnecessary pressure,” Patrese concluded.
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