ROSSI TO TEAM UP WITH VERHAGEN FOR PORTIMAO GT FINALE

Valentino Rossi will have a different third driver alongside him at the GT World Challenge Europe season finale in Portimão after BMW works driver Dan Harper was ruled out by a calendar clash.

Harper had been due to join Rossi and Max Hesse for the endurance round, where each car fields three drivers rather than the two used in Sprint Cup races. But the event overlaps with the penultimate round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Barcelona. Although GTWCE moved its race to Saturday to reduce the conflict, that did not allow Harper to compete in both series.

Team WRT confirmed that Neil Verhagen will take Harper’s place. The team said: “Due to a clash with the FIA WEC, Dan Harper will miss the final round of the GT World Challenge Europe at Portimão. Stepping in for him is his BMW M Motorsport and IMSA team-mate, and recently crowned GTD PRO Champion, Neil Verhagen.”

The 25-year-old American is a Gold-rated FIA driver and already has experience in GTWCE. He made his series debut with ROWE Racing BMW in 2022, finishing second at the Spa 12 Hours, and was runner-up again at Monza the following year. His most recent GTWCE appearance was last season.

Verhagen has also built a strong record in endurance racing. He is a two-time class winner at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, including a 2026 victory in the BMW M3 Touring. He finished fourth overall in that race with Jens Klingmann, Ugo de Wilde and Connor De Phillippi.

In the IMSA SportsCar Championship, Verhagen races for Paul Miller Racing in BMW machinery. He and Harper won the GTD Pro class at the 24 Hours of Daytona earlier this season. Further podiums, including third place at Petit Le Mans, helped Verhagen secure the IMSA title.

Rossi, the nine-time grand prix motorcycle world champion, has been paired with Hesse for the 2026 Sprint Cup rounds, with Harper originally assigned to join them for endurance events. Verhagen now steps into that role for the Portimão finale.