Max Verstappen sets sights on Valentino Rossi ahead of first-ever clash
Rossi and Verstappen will go head to head in Portugal (Photo: Race Pictures)
Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
While most of the Formula 1 grid is happy to spend as much time with Valentino Rossi as possible, Max Verstappen isn’t quite on board.
Motorsport legend Rossi is adored by the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris for his incredible career in MotoGP, and Verstappen has also spent time with him.
However, from October 16 to 18, they will share the same tarmac for the first time in an incredible turn of events.
Both sporting icons will be competing in the GT World Challenge Europe in Portimao in the same GT3 race.
Rossi took to sports car racing after ending his MotoGP career in 2021, and will compete against Verstappen for the first time, with Red Bull allowing the four-time F1 champion to compete in other categories.
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Norris and Alex Albon cite Rossi as their hero (Photo: Apex Agency)
Verstappen hopes not to see Rossi during Portimao race
Commenting on their upcoming meeting, Verstappen said: “I hope I get to see him. He’s a very cool guy, so I hope to catch up with him.
“I mean it's nice, but I do not hope to see him in the race, so that’s normally a good sign. I actually hope to see no one, to be just up front and do a good job. But you never know.”
Rossi will be racing for BMW’s WRT team, while Verstappen will be racing under his self-branded Mercedes-AMG GT3 for ‘Team Verstappen’.
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Rossi and Verstappen prepare for first-ever showdown
Speaking about the event, the Dutchman added: “The grid is super competitive, so I’m just looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s very different to Formula 1, but I love it. I had my first taste already this year at the Nordschleife, and Portimao is a very cool track to drive.
“So I’m just going to enjoy it and, of course, as a team, we’ll try to do the best we can to get a good result out of it.”
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Portimao will be returning to the F1 calendar next year, while it’s been on the MotoGP schedule since 2020.
The next Portuguese Grand Prix takes place from November 20 to 22, a month after Verstappen and Rossi head there.
Verstappen has already talked up the track where Marco Bezzecchi won last year with Aprilia.
Rossi has taken his iconic colours over to GT3 (Photo: Race Pictures)
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Portimao already has Verstappen excited for F1 return
Asked which 2027 event he’s looking forward to on the P1 podcast, he said: “I'm excited to go back to Portugal. I love Portugal.
“I love to be in that area as well, and it's a great track. I mean, racing can be a bit tough, but it's a single lap; it's very beautiful.
“I get excited because, of course, you know, the track is great, but being around there in the Algarve is very beautiful.”
Both Rossi and Verstappen talked up a potential showdown earlier this year.
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In April, the Italian was asked about the F1 driver trying out GT3, and joked: “I opened the door a little; I paved the way a bit.
“I’m happy; I don’t think it’s all down to me, but it’s a great satisfaction to see Verstappen driving this kind of car. I really hope I can get on track with him soon and do a couple of laps together.
“GT racing is a growing category; the cars are really enjoyable to drive, and it’s a place where you still feel the essence of motorsport. The cars are fast, but they’re also heavy and difficult to drive; the racing is great, so it’s cool.”
Verstappen wants Rossi-like career
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Verstappen also spoke about how he wants to follow Rossi’s career path.
In 2023 after a contract extension, he commented: "I will race longer, but not in Grands Prix. It would be nice to do it like Valentino Rossi.
“I like to see his races in GT, a category where I can also see myself driving because we have a car there ourselves.
''He has achieved everything in MotoGP that he could achieve with a crazy career. Now he is having fun, while still working hard and wanting to win. I think I'm looking for something similar for my future."
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