Ben Barnicoat Aims to Match Verstappen's Pace in GT World Challenge

During the GT World Challenge Europe season finale at Portimao, Ben Barnicoat expressed his intention to enhance his performance to align with teammates Max Verstappen and Chris Lulham.

Barnicoat, who joined the #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 team, noted Verstappen's impressive speed during the initial test sessions, despite not having driven the car since the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours. Barnicoat described Verstappen as down to earth and exceptionally talented, highlighting his quick adaptation to the vehicle.

Verstappen completed a lengthy run during Free Practice 1 to assess tire degradation and balance, with Barnicoat indicating that while the car is fast, it presents challenges in handling. Barnicoat, returning to the Mercedes-AMG GT3 after a break, is adjusting to the vehicle while feeling comfortable within the team setup.