Ben Barnicoat has admitted that he must elevate his own pace to stay competitive with Max Verstappen and Chris Lulham during the GT World Challenge Europe finale in Portimao.
Ben Barnicoat’s challenge at Portimao
The Lexus IMSA factory driver was promoted to the #3 Verstappen Racing Mercedes‑AMG GT3 line‑up at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, a move that reconnected him with Verstappen after years of karting partnership.
In the brief test session on Thursday, Verstappen—who had not steered the Mercedes‑AMG since the 2026 Nurburgring 24 Hours—immediately posted strong lap times, earning Barnicoat praise for his sharp re‑entry into the machine.
Lulham’s performance has also been highlighted, with Barnicoat noting the driver’s “amazing season” and steady rise through the standings approaching the season’s climax.
Testing and feedback from Verstappen and Lulham
Verstappen completed a 48‑minute run during Friday’s free practice to assess tire wear and balance, a strategy aimed at refining the car ahead of the three‑hour race.
Barnicoat remarked that while the car remains quick, it lacks the user‑friendly handling typical of GT machinery, a challenge that spurs the driver to set higher targets.
Several entries suffered from excessive bouncing on the final right‑hand sweeper, a clear indicator that the evolution of the car’s suspension remains a priority before the scheduled night event.
He added that the 20th‑fastest lap in FP1 does not serve as a deterrent; cooler temperatures at sunset are expected to shift performance dynamics.
Prepared for the night race
Having last driven a Mercedes‑AMG in the 2025 Asian Le Mans Series, Barnicoat considers the transition smooth, citing minimal adjustments needed versus his default Lexus setup.
He remains confident in the team’s capabilities, yet acknowledges that maintaining the higher standard set by Verstappen and Lulham will necessitate an intensified personal effort.
As the final night race looms, Barnicoat’s focus shifts to closing the gap in pace while exploiting the evolving car dynamics and cooler track temperatures for a potential top‑tier finish.
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