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Max Verstappen stages dramatic comeback in Portimão GT race

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Nigora Umarova
Nigora Umarova
International Department Journalist
motorsport Sport
Ben Barnicoat made steady progress through the field and climbed to second

Max Verstappen fought his way through the field during a chaotic GT World Challenge Europe race at Portimão on Saturday, 17 October, after a penalty threatened to derail his team’s chances.

The Dutch Formula 1 driver took over the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG with 46 minutes remaining, facing a difficult recovery after teammate Chris Lulham received a drive-through penalty following contact with another competitor.

Verstappen eventually finished ninth overall and fifth in the Pro Cup, having gained 17 positions during his final stint.

Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed claimed victory with Fabian Schiller, Ralf Aron and Maximilian Götz in the No. 17 car. Lionspeed GP’s Porsche finished second, followed by the pole-sitting Boutsen VDS Porsche in third.

The race featured multiple collisions, penalties and safety car periods, with several leading contenders losing positions as the order shifted throughout the evening.

Penalty derails Verstappen Racing’s progress

Starting 15th, Ben Barnicoat made steady progress through the field and climbed to second place shortly after the first hour, before handing the Mercedes-AMG to Lulham during a round of pit stops.

Lulham made an immediate impression, overtaking HRT Ford Racing’s No. 64 Mustang around the outside on his first lap after leaving the pits. The move helped him establish sixth position.

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However, his stint took a turn after contact with Luca Stolz in the No. 48 Mercedes-AMG Team MANN-FILTER car. Stolz spun but continued racing, losing several positions.

Officials handed Lulham a drive-through penalty for the incident, forcing him to return to the pit lane and dropping the team to 18th with approximately 53 minutes remaining.

Lulham subsequently recovered ground as other cars stopped, briefly returning to second before handing the Mercedes to Verstappen with 46 minutes left.

The four-time Formula 1 world champion rejoined in 26th position, facing a difficult task to recover the lost ground.

Verstappen charges through the field in final stint

Verstappen began moving forward as further incidents disrupted the race. A stranded Lamborghini No. 96 at Turn 8 prompted another full-course yellow, followed by a safety car period.

The Dutchman had reached 19th when the race was neutralised. Racing resumed with 23 minutes remaining, giving him a final opportunity to climb the order.

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He moved into 15th with 15 minutes left and gained another position two minutes later.

One of his most significant moves came when three cars battling for position ran alongside one another, allowing Verstappen to find an opening and pass the group.

The move lifted him to 10th before he overtook Arthur Leclerc in the No. 50 AF Corse Ferrari with approximately three minutes remaining, securing ninth overall and fifth in the Pro Cup.

Verstappen held that position until the chequered flag, completing a recovery drive after the earlier penalty.

Collisions and safety cars disrupt Portimão race

The season finale was marked by incidents from the opening stages.

The No. 74 Ferrari was spun around in first-lap congestion, while the No. 45 Ferrari later went into the gravel during a battle involving the No. 991 BMW and No. 87 Mercedes-AMG, prompting a full-course yellow.

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Lilou Wadoux also spun in the No. 50 Ferrari following contact with Team WRT’s No. 32 BMW, whose driver received a drive-through penalty.

Further incidents included the No. 93 Porsche sliding into the gravel and the No. 10 Porsche hitting the barriers at Turn 1.

Another full-course yellow followed a collision between the No. 54 Porsche and No. 9 Porsche at Turn 13, with the safety car remaining on track for several laps.

The closing stages also featured a close battle for Gold Cup honours between Frederik Schandorff in the No. 71 Ferrari and Thomas Fleming in the No. 58 McLaren. Fleming received a five-second penalty for contact with another car.

Valentino Rossi’s No. 46 Team WRT BMW, which had already suffered a deleted qualifying time on Friday, was classified 50th on the final timing screen after completing 75 laps.

Despite the interruptions, GetSpeed’s No. 17 Mercedes-AMG maintained its advantage to win the 94-lap race ahead of the No. 80 Porsche of Lionspeed GP and the No. 2 Boutsen VDS Porsche.

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