Overview
- Friday's first practice saw Max Verstappen collide with the Sainteloc Audi of Ezequiel Perez Companc at Turn 3 three minutes into the session, spinning the Audi and triggering a steward inquiry.
- After reviewing video and hearing both drivers, the sport stewards issued Verstappen a formal reprimand and a behaviour warning point while assigning sole responsibility for the avoidable collision.
- Verstappen spent roughly an hour in the #3 Mercedes during FT1, did 27 laps and the car trio finished that session 20th overall as the team focused on long‑run and tyre work.
- The Verstappen Racing Mercedes recovered in the second practice, placing fourth overall after Chris Lulham set a 1:43.229 on fresh tyres and the session ran largely free of incidents.
- Qualifying uses the average of three drivers' times and begins Friday evening on livestream and TV, with the result determining the starting order for Saturday's 61‑car, three‑hour Portimão finale.