Max Verstappen hopes to race Valentino Rossi at Portimao GT3 finale but prefers to avoid on-track battles.

Max Verstappen confirmed he will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe Cup season finale at Portimao on October 16-18, marking his first time sharing a grid with nine-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi. The Red Bull driver expressed excitement about meeting Rossi but joked he hopes not to see him during the race itself.

Verstappen will drive between seven consecutive weekends of racing, sandwiched between Formula 1 triple-headers. He described the Portuguese circuit as very cool to drive and emphasized his love for GT3 racing despite its differences from Formula 1.

The four-time world champion acknowledged the GT World Challenge grid's competitiveness while expressing hope to start from the front and deliver a strong result for his team. Verstappen previously competed at the Nurburgring 24 Hours earlier this year as part of his expanded sportscar racing activities.