{"id":933083,"date":"2026-10-18T23:00:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-18T23:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/933083\/"},"modified":"2026-10-18T23:00:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T23:00:13","slug":"verstappen-bathurst-12-hour-hopes-fade-after-gtwc-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/933083\/","title":{"rendered":"Verstappen Bathurst 12 Hour hopes fade after GTWC debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Max<\/p>\n

By Andrew Clarke<\/p>\n

Date posted: 19 October 2026<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen delivered a charging drive on his GT World Challenge Europe debut at Portim\u00e3o, recovering from 24th to ninth in the three-hour Endurance Cup finale, but his prospects of competing in the 2027 Bathurst 12 Hour appear increasingly unlikely.<\/p>\n

The four-time Formula 1 World Champion joined Ben Barnicoat and Chris Lulham in the #3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing entry for the Portuguese race on 17 October, producing a remarkable final stint after a drive-through penalty had dropped the team out of podium contention.<\/p>\n

Verstappen carved through the field as darkness fell, eventually securing ninth place after passing Arthur Leclerc\u2019s Ferrari in the closing minutes.<\/p>\n

While his performance demonstrated his growing commitment to GT racing, the timing of the 2027 Bathurst 12 Hour<\/a> is becoming a significant obstacle to a potential Australian appearance.<\/p>\n

Penalty costs Verstappen Racing podium chance<\/p>\n

Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing started 13th after struggling with its car set-up during qualifying, but changes ahead of the race transformed its performance.<\/p>\n

Barnicoat made rapid progress during the opening stint, moving into the top 10 before handing over to Lulham, who continued the charge.<\/p>\n

Lulham moved into sixth after passing the #64 Ford Mustang of Thomas Drouet, but contact with Luca Stolz\u2019s #48 Mercedes resulted in a drive-through penalty that ended the team\u2019s hopes of challenging for a podium.<\/p>\n

By the time Verstappen took over for the final stint, the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO had dropped to 24th.<\/p>\n

He quickly moved into 19th before a late Safety Car compressed the field, creating an opportunity to recover further positions.<\/p>\n

Verstappen took full advantage, making several decisive overtakes, including passing three cars through Turns 4 and 5, before securing ninth place.<\/p>\n

\u201cOverall, we had a decent weekend,\u201d Verstappen said.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, we made a mistake with the setup of the car in qualifying, which meant we didn\u2019t qualify where we should have qualified. We adjusted the setup for the race and we were a lot more competitive.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen had a really great first stint staying out of the carnage at the start and driving us to the front. Chris also started his stint really strongly, putting us in a good position. But then, unfortunately, the drive-through penalty meant I had to start my stint from P24.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had fun. The pace of our car was really good and it was very hectic with a lot of chaos around me trying to get to the front. To recover from P24 and finish ninth was really strong. Although it wasn\u2019t the result we wanted, we learned a lot and overall it was a positive weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Verstappen defends Lulham over online abuse<\/p>\n

Verstappen subsequently defended teammate Lulham after the British driver became the target of online abuse following the collision and resulting penalty.<\/p>\n

The Dutchman used social media to condemn the personal attacks, defending Lulham\u2019s performance despite the incident.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone can have their opinions about what happened on track, but these personal attacks are not okay,\u201d Verstappen wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cChris had a really strong stint and mistakes can happen. There\u2019s no place for this kind of abuse in our sport or anywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barnicoat also praised his teammates following the race, describing their combined performance as an outstanding effort despite the disappointing result.<\/p>\n

Bathurst 12 Hour appearance increasingly unlikely<\/p>\n

Verstappen\u2019s expanding GT racing program has raised hopes that he could eventually compete in the Bathurst 12 Hour, but the event\u2019s February date is proving a major complication.<\/p>\n

The 2027 Bathurst 12 Hour is scheduled for 11 to 14 February, with official Formula 1 pre-season testing taking place in Bahrain from 24 to 27 February.<\/p>\n

Although the events don\u2019t directly clash, Bathurst falls during the critical preparation period for the new Formula 1 season, when drivers are expected to work closely with their teams on simulator programs, technical development, and testing preparations.<\/p>\n

That makes a Bathurst appearance increasingly difficult for Verstappen, who must balance his endurance racing ambitions against his primary responsibilities with Red Bull Racing.<\/p>\n

Moving the Bathurst 12 Hour up by a week would give more breathing room between the event and Formula 1 testing, potentially improving the chances of attracting the Dutch star.<\/p>\n

However, the current Bathurst dates have already been confirmed, and no change has been announced.<\/p>\n

Verstappen has not confirmed an entry for the Australian endurance race, and while his interest in major GT3 events continues to grow, his Formula 1 commitments remain the deciding factor.<\/p>\n

The 2027 Formula 1 World Championship begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on 12 to 14 March, followed by Saudi Arabia a week later.<\/p>\n

Mercedes wins Portim\u00e3o finale<\/p>\n

While Verstappen supplied much of the late entertainment, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed claimed overall victory through Fabian Schiller, Ralf Aron and Maximilian Gotz.<\/p>\n

The #17 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO led home the #80 Lionspeed GP Porsche of Ricardo Feller, Thomas Preining and Bastian Buus, with the #2 Boutsen VDS Porsche of Morris Schuring, Dorian Boccolacci and Alessio Picariello completing the podium.<\/p>\n

It was GetSpeed\u2019s first Endurance Cup victory and Mercedes-AMG\u2019s 12th in the competition.<\/p>\n

The Portim\u00e3o finale attracted 28,000 spectators and a 61-car field, the largest outside the Spa 24 Hours, while the series reported a record 9.7 million views of its live YouTube coverage.<\/p>\n

Verstappen\u2019s participation helped generate significant interest in the championship, with his recovery drive providing a major talking point from the season finale.<\/p>\n

GT World Challenge Europe returns at Circuit Paul Ricard from 15 to 18 April 2027, while Verstappen\u2019s immediate attention turns back to Formula 1.<\/p>\n

GT World Challenge Europe Portim\u00e3o results<\/p>\n

Pos.
\nCar
\nDrivers
\nTeam<\/p>\n

1
\n#17
\nRalf Aron, Maximilian Gotz, Fabian Schiller
\nMercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed<\/p>\n

2
\n#80
\nRicardo Feller, Thomas Preining, Bastian Buus
\nLionspeed GP Porsche<\/p>\n

3
\n#2
\nMorris Schuring, Dorian Boccolacci, Alessio Picariello
\nBoutsen VDS Porsche<\/p>\n

9
\n#3
\nMax Verstappen, Chris Lulham, Ben Barnicoat
\nMercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing<\/p>\n

Results: GT World Challenge Europe.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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