Rossi says he ‘cleared the way’ for Verstappen’s GT3 debut

Valentino Rossi joked he ‘opened the door’ for Max Verstappen’s GT3 debut, saying he hopes they can share a lap at Paul Ricard soon. The comment followed their participation in the six‑hour endurance race, where Rossi drove a BMW M4 GT3 for Team WRT and Verstappen piloted his Mercedes‑AMG GT3.

Why it matters:

• Rossi’s nod adds star power to GT3, signaling that top‑level drivers see sport‑scar racing as a viable arena alongside—or after—Formula 1.

The details:

• Rossi, a nine‑time MotoGP champion, has been a regular in the GT World Challenge Europe since 2022, co‑driving a BMW M4 GT3 with Daniel Harper and Max Hesse for Team WRT.
• Verstappen earned his GT3 licence less than a year ago, won his debut race in the Nürburgring Endurance Series, and now leads his Mercedes‑AMG GT3 program ahead of the Nürburgring 24 Hours in May.
• Lance Stroll also made his GT3 debut at Paul Ricard in an Aston Martin Vantage, posting the eighth‑fastest lap before retiring with gearbox problems, underscoring the learning curve for newcomers.

What's next:

• Rossi hopes to line up a joint test lap with Verstappen at Paul Ricard, a move that would generate huge media buzz.
• GT3’s calendar is expanding, with more manufacturers and F1 stars likely to join, making the series a new proving ground for elite drivers.