Verstappen announces teammates for GT race in Portimão

During the GT World Challenge race weekend at the Nürburgring in late August, rumors were already circulating that Verstappen would step in at Verstappen Racing. Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella, two of the three regular drivers in the Endurance Cup, were expected to be unavailable due to a clash with the WEC finale in Barcelona. Although the organisers worked together to make shuttling back and forth possible, the logistical puzzle still proved difficult.

The race in Portugal was moved to Saturday evening, October 17, but internally Gounon and Juncadella had already indicated they would focus on the WEC. Since a three-driver line-up is mandatory in the GT World Challenge Endurance, two teammates had to be found for Lulham. One was quickly found: ‘reserve driver’ Max Verstappen.

According to rumours, Verstappen would have liked to bring Alex Palou in as the third driver. Palou’s participation in the Indy 8H with Lin Hodenius and Luca Stolz from October 9–11 fuelled those rumours again, but the Spaniard will not be getting in the team as Verstappen has chosen British driver, Ben Barnicoat.

With Barnicoat, Verstappen Racing brings an experienced GT and endurance driver on board. The Brit drove for McLaren for years before switching to Lexus in 2022. There, he won the GTD Pro class title in the American IMSA championship in 2023 together with Jack Hawksworth.

Barnicoat is also familiar with the GT World Challenge Europe and finished second in the 12 Hours of Bathurst in 2020. As such, he brings extensive experience with both GT3 cars and endurance races to Portimão.

Barnicoat previously spoke to GPblog with enthusiasm about Verstappen’s involvement in GT racing. The Brit, who raced against the Dutchman in their karting years, believes that his participation draws more attention to the level of drivers in the class.

“It’s great that Max is bringing more fans to GT3 racing,” Barnicoat said. According to him, that interest gives the GT world a chance to show a wider audience how much talent is on display.

Palou ruled out participating in the GT3 race with Verstappen in early September. The desire to race together certainly exists. “We’ve been trying to do a race together for a long time,” said the Spaniard, who still knows Verstappen from their shared karting years.

According to Palou, they need to find a suitable weekend that works for both. He ruled out a collaboration in 2026: “Unfortunately, we won’t be racing together this year.” That took his name out of the frame for Portimão, but the plan is not definitively off the table. Palou emphasised that he and Verstappen will keep looking for an opportunity to line up together in the future after all.