Max Verstappen’s GT3 adventure: Team-mate explains qualifying result

Whilst his GP colleagues are enjoying a race-free weekend, Max Verstappen is taking on a new challenge in the GT World Challenge Europe. The four-time Formula 1 world champion is competing alongside Ben Barnicoat, whom he has known since his karting days, and Chris Fulham, with whom he has been racing in sim racing events for years.

And ahead of qualifying, hopes were high for a strong grid position; after all, the trio had celebrated setting the fourth-fastest lap in the second practice session. However, in the final practice session, their pace was no longer as competitive, and Verstappen, Barnicoat and Fulham initially had to settle for 15th place. The fact that the Mercedes-AMG with start number 3 moved up to 14th place thanks to the disqualification of an opponent’s lap time is likely to be little consolation for the ambitious GP star.

Verstappen’s team-mate Barnicoat explained what had happened after the qualifying session. “That was a tough session; we felt we were lacking a bit of pace. None of us were particularly happy, so we tried a few things, and obviously they didn’t really work,” he sighed.

Barnicoat is convinced: a Verstappen victory in Portimão is still possible

“The car was bouncing a lot on the straights; we just didn’t quite get it right,” explained the 29-year-old Briton, who hasn’t yet given up hope of a strong result in the race: “The race lasts three hours, and we’ll all be giving it our best. It’s never over until the chequered flag falls, and we’ve got a great team and good drivers,” he said encouragingly.

And Barnicoat added defiantly: “I still believe it can work out in the race. Max was strong and so was Chris, so I’m sure we’ll do well. We just didn’t get it right today, but we know what we did and how we can do better. We’ll give it our all in the race and try to get to the front.”

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