F1 Today | Verstappen's pole ambitions evaporate after poor qualifying result

Verstappen returned to GT racing this weekend at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, sharing the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Barnicoat and Lulham. The four-time Formula 1 world champion attracted considerable attention ahead of the event, but his team faced a difficult afternoon in Portugal.

There were encouraging signs during Friday's practice sessions. After finishing 20th in FP1, Verstappen Racing improved to fourth in FP2, with Lulham recording the team's fastest lap of 1:43.229. However, that pace proved difficult to reproduce when qualifying began.

Unlike Formula 1, qualifying in the GT World Challenge Europe consists of three sessions in which each driver sets a lap time. The average of those three times determines the car's starting position, making every driver's performance crucial.

Barnicoat was first behind the wheel for Verstappen Racing in Q1, but the Briton struggled to find a competitive lap. He finished 21st, almost seven tenths behind session leader Morris Schuring, who recorded a 1:42.445 in the #2 Boutsen VDS Porsche.

That result immediately complicated the team's hopes of securing a strong starting position, placing considerable pressure on Lulham and Verstappen to recover the deficit. Unfortunately for the Mercedes squad, Q2 brought little improvement.

Lulham, who impressed during FP2, could only manage 16th place, finishing approximately eight tenths behind Dorian Boccolacci's benchmark of 1:41.856. With both teammates outside the top 15 in their respective sessions, Verstappen faced an enormous challenge heading into Q3.

The Dutchman finally took to the track for the third and final qualifying segment, but his efforts were not enough to transform the team's fortunes.

Verstappen finished Q3 in 15th position, leaving the #3 Mercedes-AMG 15th in the combined classification and confirming a midfield starting position for Saturday's race.

At the front, the #2 Boutsen VDS Porsche secured pole position with a combined average lap time of 1:42.071. The #17 GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG finished second, followed by the #80 Lionspeed GP Porsche. The #64 HRT Ford Racing entry secured fourth place, while the #50 AF Corse Ferrari completed the top five.

Verstappen was not the only major name to experience qualifying disappointment. MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi also endured a frustrating Q2 session after initially climbing to ninth place. However, his lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits, leaving the Italian without a valid time in the session.

For Verstappen Racing, the contrast between fourth place in FP2 and 15th on the starting grid represents a disappointing outcome to Friday's running. Verstappen, Barnicoat and Lulham will now start Saturday's race from the midfield at Portimão.