Former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen is set to make his racing return at next year’s Hankook 24H DUBAI in a 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup-entered by Team GP-Elite.

The father of 17-time Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen made 106 Formula 1 starts between 1994 and 2003 for seven different teams (twice finishing on the podium for Benetton), and later went on to take a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2008. The Dutchman has not raced competitively however since the stand-alone ‘City Challenge Baku’ GT3 event in 2012, and will simultaneously make his 24H SERIES debut on 13-14-15 January on his racing return at the Dubai Autodrome. 

Verstappen is set to share driving duties with Thierry Vermeulen, for whom the F1 alumnus has taken on the role of racing coach. The son of Max Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen, Thierry entered his maiden Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux season this year, and already has a race win at Assen to his name. In preparation for next year’s Hankook 24H DUBAI, the 19-year-old has already competed in the 24H SERIES this year at the Hockenheimring (with MRS GT-Racing) and Barcelona (with Red Camel-Jordans.nl), securing a GTX-class podium at the latter. 

Dubai 2022 meanwhile will mark GP-Elite’s maiden endurance race after multiple Porsche Carrera Cup and Porsche Supercup campaigns. 

“The [Hankook] 24H DUBAI will be GP Elite's first endurance race,” the young Dutchman explained to Verstappen.com. “It's great that we can do this together and that we have a [strong team] around us. And of course it is also very nice to be able to take action together with Jos after he has helped me throughout the year.”

Jos Verstappen meanwhile has not ruled out the possibility of further 24H SERIES starts in 2022. 

“I enjoy racing again and it is good for Thierry to gain even more experience,” Verstappen continues. “This opportunity came in handy for all of us. I don't know if it's a one-off or if it's going to [involve] a sequel. I want to see if I like it first.”

GP-Elite has yet to formalize its full driver line-up, but has confirmed it will run two Porsche 911 GT3 Cups in Dubai. 

Nearly a dozen entries have been registered for the newly established ‘992’ class for next year’s Hankook 24H DUBAI. Overall GT Teams’ championship contender DUWO Racing and former 991-class champion Speed Lovers are among the most high-profile teams set to compete alongside GP-Elite After two exploratory starts with its new 992-generation Cup car at Hockenheim and Barcelona this year, TCR SPA 500 winner Red Camel-Jordans.nl is expected to contest a full season-long campaign with its new Porsche, while multi-time Dubai class winner MRS GT-Racing is set to make its 12th consecutive start at the event next January. 

In the sister ‘991’ category, for which seven 991-generation Cup cars have already been registered, series stalwart Bas Koeten Racing and former 991-class champion Porsche Lorient Racing are set to compete.