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Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has shared his excitement ahead of his upcoming debut in the GT World Challenge Europe series, where he is set to go wheel-to-wheel with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. The pair will compete against each other later this month at the GT3 class season finale at Portugal's Portimão circuit.
The Red Bull driver will make his first appearance in the championship behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for his own outfit, Verstappen Racing. Rossi, a nine-time motorcycle world champion who drives for BMW-backed Team WRT, races in the same Pro category.
While Verstappen is looking forward to catching up with the Italian off the track, the Dutchman admitted with a grin that he would prefer not to see him during the race itself.
"I hope we cross paths. He's a great guy, and I'd love to have a chat with him. I say this with the best intentions, but I hope I don't see him during the race because that's usually a good sign. In fact, I hope I don't see anyone around me—just lead from the front and get the job done. But on track, you never know what might happen," Verstappen said. "The drivers on the grid are extremely competitive, and I'm really looking forward to the challenge. It feels completely different to Formula 1, but I genuinely enjoy it. I gained some initial experience earlier in the year on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and Portimão is a magnificent circuit."
The Portuguese round is scheduled for October 16–18, slotted directly into the brief gap between two Formula 1 triple-headers. This means Verstappen will be competing across seven consecutive race weekends.
Following the stretch of races in Azerbaijan, Malaysia, and Singapore, the world champion will head to Portimão before traveling to the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. His packed schedule leaves him with just one free weekend ahead of the season-closing triple-header in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
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