Verstappen swaps F1 for GT racing as Formula 1 confirms historic Africa return: Your weekly motorsport round-up

There is also an important weekend ahead in the FIA TCR World Tour, with the championship heading to China as Mikel Azcona attempts to extend his advantage at the top of the standings.

From Verstappen taking on some of the biggest names in endurance racing to a landmark announcement for the future of Formula 1 and another crucial round of touring car action, here is your weekly motorsport news round-up.

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Max Verstappen swaps Formula 1 for GT racing at Portimão

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Max Verstappen will return to GT racing this weekend when he competes in the season finale of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal.

The Red Bull Formula 1 driver will get behind the wheel of the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, sharing driving duties with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat.

The Dutchman is joining a huge field of 61 cars for the three-hour endurance race on Saturday, October 17, bringing together some of the most successful drivers in international motorsport.

Among those competing is nine-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi, who will race the No. 46 BMW for Team WRT alongside Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen.

The event therefore brings together two of motorsport’s most recognisable figures, with the Formula 1 superstar and former MotoGP champion sharing the same track in a highly competitive GT field.

Verstappen’s appearance comes after another Formula 1 victory in Singapore, with the Dutchman continuing to pursue his passion for racing outside the world championship.

He will face experienced GT specialists, Le Mans winners and endurance racing champions in a contest where managing traffic, tyre performance and driver changes will be just as important as outright speed.

The Endurance Cup drivers’ championship has already been decided, with Mercedes-AMG trio Maro Engel, Lucas Auer and Luca Stolz securing the title at the Nürburgring.

That means the leading Pro teams will head to Portugal with one immediate objective: winning the final race of the season.

GT World Challenge Europe Portimão schedule:

• Friday, October 16: Qualifying at 5:55pm BST
• Saturday, October 17: Three-hour race at 5pm BST

GT World Challenge Europe is available on DAZN in supported international territories, including Portugal, Spain and France.

However, DAZN’s broadcasting rights for this competition exclude the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Australia.

Fans in eligible markets can access the race through DAZN, while viewers elsewhere should check their local broadcasting arrangements.

Click here to watch Max Verstappen race live and for free on DAZN.

Formula 1 confirms historic return to Africa with Rwanda Grand Prix

Formula 1 has confirmed it will return to Africa for the first time since 1993, announcing a landmark agreement to stage a new Grand Prix in Rwanda.

The championship revealed the news on Tuesday, October 13, confirming a 10-year agreement to establish the Formula 1 African Grand Prix in the early 2030s.

The race will take place at a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, Rwanda, approximately 40 kilometres south of the capital, Kigali.

The venue will be developed to FIA Grade 1 standards, making it suitable for hosting Formula 1, and will form part of a wider project involving tourism, transport infrastructure and commercial development.

Former Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz and renowned circuit designer Carsten Tilke are involved in creating the new track.

The proposed layout will take advantage of Rwanda’s natural landscape, with significant elevation changes, high-speed corners and a long straight designed to provide overtaking opportunities.

The announcement brings an end to more than three decades without a Formula 1 race on the African continent.

The championship last visited Africa for the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, won by Alain Prost.

Rwanda will become the third African country to host a Formula 1 World Championship race, following Morocco and South Africa.

The return has been a long-standing ambition for Formula 1, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton among the most prominent voices calling for the championship to race in Africa again.

Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali has described the agreement as an important milestone in the sport’s global expansion, with the championship set to race on every inhabited continent.

However, fans will have to wait before seeing Formula 1 cars on the new circuit.

The first Rwanda Grand Prix is expected in the early 2030s, once construction has been completed, although an exact date has not yet been announced.

TCR World Tour heads to China as Mikel Azcona takes control of championship

The FIA TCR World Tour continues its Asian campaign this weekend, with the championship heading to the Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit in China from October 16-18.

The sixth event of the season arrives at a crucial stage of the title race, with Hyundai driver Mikel Azcona leading the standings following an impressive weekend at Inje Speedium in South Korea.

Azcona secured two victories at the previous event, transforming the championship picture and moving clear of his closest rivals.

The Spaniard now leads the standings with 309 points, ahead of teammate Norbert Michelisz on 268.

Geely Cyan Racing’s Santiago Urrutia, who had previously led the championship, has dropped to third with 260 points.

That leaves Azcona with a 41-point advantage over Michelisz and a 49-point cushion over Urrutia heading into the next round.

However, there are still plenty of opportunities for the chasing pack to close the gap.

The championship will visit the 3.265-kilometre Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit for the first time, with its 19 corners and undulating layout providing a fresh challenge for the drivers.

Three races are scheduled across the weekend, making consistency crucial as the championship approaches its conclusion.

The event also marks the beginning of a Chinese double-header, with the TCR World Tour visiting the Zhejiang Circuit from October 22-25.

The season will then conclude on the streets of Macau from November 19-22.

With Hyundai enjoying a strong run of form and Geely Cyan Racing attempting to respond on home soil, the Chengdu round could play a significant role in determining the championship.

Watch the TCR World Tour for free on DAZN

Motorsport this week: Full schedule and key dates

There is plenty of racing to follow between October 15-18, with the GT World Challenge Europe season finale in Portugal and the TCR World Tour continuing in China.

The GT World Challenge race will take place over three hours, while TCR World Tour competitors will contest three races during the Chengdu event.