Mercedes confirmed Verstappen Racing’s extra Portimão test plan

Before the Portimão weekend, Mercedes confirmed to RacingNews365 that Verstappen Racing would take part in the optional paid test on Thursday, 15 October. It was scheduled for 12:50 to 14:50 Dutch time, adding two hours of preparation ahead of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup finale.

With a new line-up in the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3, the extra session offered time to look for a set-up compromise across the drivers’ styles. Verstappen was due to make his GT World Challenge Europe debut alongside Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat. He had already raced the car at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie, while the Portimão weekend schedule included only two free-practice sessions before qualifying.

Lulham was the only regular driver from the trio in Portimão; Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon were in Barcelona for World Endurance Championship commitments. A paid test of up to two hours allowed only one tyre set, which drivers taking part had to share.