The 2026 GT World Challenge Europe season concluded with a thrilling three-hour race at Portimão, featuring bold strategies, two crucial Safety Car periods and a spectacular late charge from Max Verstappen. The Dutchman delivered one of the standout performances of the weekend, fighting his way through the field to entertain the Algarve crowd.
GetSpeed Masters the Strategy to Secure Victory
The #17 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO of Team GetSpeed produced a flawless strategic performance to claim victory in the season finale.
After an opening hour dominated by Porsche, the decisive moment came during the first round of pit stops. GetSpeed extended its stint while the #80 Lionspeed GP and #2 Boutsen VDS Porsche entries lost valuable time following contact as they rejoined the race from the pit lane.
The perfectly executed overcut allowed the Mercedes-AMG to take the lead, putting Ralf Aron, Maximilian Götz and Fabian Schiller in control of the race.
From that point onwards, GetSpeed managed its advantage with precision, maintaining the lead despite two Safety Car periods that repeatedly brought the field back together.
Safety Cars and Penalties Shake Up the Race
The three-hour contest was shaped by two major interruptions that significantly influenced the teams’ strategies.
The first Safety Car was deployed following a collision involving two Silver Cup Porsches, both of which ended up stranded in the gravel.
A second neutralisation occurred with approximately 25 minutes remaining, when another car went off the circuit, setting up a dramatic final sprint to the chequered flag.
Several crews also received penalties for infringements committed under Full Course Yellow conditions, adding another layer of complexity to an already demanding race.
Verstappen Charges from 24th to Ninth in Spectacular GT3 Debut
One of the biggest attractions of the weekend was Max Verstappen’s appearance in the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Team Verstappen Racing.
Sharing the car with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion experienced a challenging race that ultimately showcased his exceptional ability behind the wheel.
After a promising opening stint, contact during the middle phase resulted in a drive-through penalty, dropping the Mercedes to 24th position.
When Verstappen took over for the final stint, a strong result appeared unlikely. However, the Dutchman immediately began an impressive recovery, combining aggressive but controlled overtaking with outstanding race pace.
Taking advantage of the final Safety Car restart, Verstappen carved his way through the field, climbing to ninth place in less than half an hour.
His remarkable comeback became one of the defining moments of the event, underlining his versatility and competitiveness beyond Formula 1.
Ferrari Shines in Gold Cup as WRT Celebrates Silver Cup Success
The battle for class honours provided further excitement throughout the field.
In the Gold Cup, the #71 Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO of Selected Car Racing delivered a consistent and error-free performance to secure victory.
Team WRT enjoyed another successful outing in the Silver Cup, with its #30 BMW completing an outstanding season by taking another class win.
Meanwhile, the #222 Mercedes-AMG of 2Seas Motorsport produced a solid performance in the Bronze Cup, rounding off a competitive weekend.
Portimão 2026 – Final Top 10 Results
| Pos. | Team | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GetSpeed | Mercedes-AMG #17 |
| 2 | Lionspeed GP | Porsche #80 |
| 3 | Boutsen VDS | Porsche #2 |
| 4 | Selected Car Racing | Ferrari #71 |
| 5 | Team WRT | BMW #30 |
| 6 | Garage 59 | McLaren #59 |
| 7 | ROWE Racing | BMW #998 |
| 8 | GetSpeed Bartone Bros | Mercedes-AMG #6 |
| 9 | Verstappen Racing | Mercedes-AMG #3 |
| 10 | AF Corse | Ferrari #50 |
A Memorable Conclusion to the 2026 Season
The Portimão finale highlighted GetSpeed’s strategic excellence, Porsche’s competitiveness and Mercedes-AMG’s strength in GT World Challenge Europe.
Verstappen’s extraordinary recovery added another memorable chapter to a race already packed with tactical battles, incidents and dramatic moments.
The 2026 season ended with a clear message: GT3 racing continues to deliver some of the most competitive and unpredictable action in international motorsport.