REALITY: MAX VERSTAPPEN IS TOO COMPETITIVE TO TREAT THE BATHURST 1000 LIKE A HOBBY
From F1 to Supercars: Max Verstappen targets the Bathurst 1000 and Nürburgring 24 Hours for his 2026 racing schedule.
When Max Verstappen turned up in a Gen3 Ford Mustang Supercar right before Red Bull’s 2026 livery launch in Detroit, it wasn’t just a photo op. It was Verstappen dropping a pretty clear hint—he’s already thinking about life after Formula 1, even with his Red Bull contract running until 2028.
He used the Ford run to float an idea that, a few years ago, would’ve sounded straight-up wild: he’s eyeing the Bathurst 1000. And people are taking him seriously. Triple Eight boss Jamie Whincup, who’s won the series seven times, told 7News Queensland that Verstappen at Mount Panorama isn’t some far-off fantasy. It could happen soon—maybe this year, maybe 2027.
Whincup put it simply: Verstappen’s looking at other series and championships. “If not this year, next year, we can see him behind the wheel.”
That’s a big deal. Verstappen’s side projects aren’t just the usual celebrity cameos some drivers dabble in during the off-season. He’s been clear that his long-term racing plans are probably outside F1, and his actions back that up. He’s on track to race in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring this season after earning his Nordschleife licence last year and winning his GT3 debut at the ‘Green Hell’ with Chris Lulham.
So when Verstappen hops into a supercar now, it doesn’t feel like a novelty. It feels more like research.
And the Detroit run had its own little twist: the Mustang wore Red Bull Ampol Racing colours, showing off Triple Eight’s switch from GM to Ford for 2026—a move that’s already stirred up some noise in Supercars circles. Ford, Red Bull, Verstappen—all together in one shot? Perfect marketing, sure, but it’s also a real sign that, if Verstappen wants to race Bathurst, the door’s open. This isn’t random; the pieces are lining up.
Bathurst doesn’t need F1’s stamp of approval. ‘The Great Race’ has been a crown jewel of endurance racing for decades, dating all the way back to 1960 at Phillip Island, then moving to Bathurst in ’63, and stretching to 1000 km in 1973. F1 has crossed paths with it before—Jacky Ickx won in 1977 with Allan Moffat—but Verstappen showing up as a modern multi-time world champ? That would hit differently.
And not just because he’d be the latest big international star to give it a go. Verstappen isn’t the type to dabble. He’s relentlessly competitive, obsessed with detail, and only signs up for things if he’s sure he can do them right.
He’s already had a taste of Supercars, too. Verstappen first sat in one with Whincup in 2019, then drove one again in 2022. His reaction? Classic Verstappen—matter-of-fact, no-nonsense.
“I think after a few practice sessions, it’s fine,” he said. “You just need a few days of driving. It’s completely different for me. Back at home, I also drive in GT3 cars. I really enjoy it, but you have to adapt your style to it; it takes a few days.
“As a driver, your main skill is to adapt to the situation; it doesn’t matter what car, it’s also the grip levels and track layout. What you need from a car, because every track can be a bit different. It doesn’t matter if you’re an F1 driver or V8 driver; you adapt.”
That’s the interesting part: he wasn’t starstruck, but he wasn’t brushing it off either. He talked about it like a guy already thinking through the workload—the time, the learning curve, all of it. That’s a lot closer to actually doing it than just saying “maybe someday”.
And Verstappen’s not the only F1 driver circling. Supercars have always had this pull for racers—big power, heavy cars, tracks that punish mistakes, and a main event that can eat even the best alive. Daniel Ricciardo still has an open invite. In 2024, Supercars CEO Shane Howard basically called him out: “If Daniel’s listening, we want you to race here… To have someone of Daniel Ricciardo’s quality as a driver… would be very special.”
Valtteri Bottas is into it, too. “I like Supercars; it looks interesting,” he said. It’s right at the top of his list for future one-offs. “For sure, one day, I’ll do at least one race.” As for Bathurst? “That would be cool.”
Still, there’s no guarantee Verstappen jumps in. Bathurst isn’t something you do on a whim, and fitting in the right preparation around the F1 calendar—especially when Red Bull will need him leading the charge in 2026—is as much a puzzle as it is a challenge. But it’s not impossible. And if anyone’s going to pull it off, it’s probably Verstappen.
The vibe has changed. Verstappen behind the wheel of a Mustang Supercar, dressed up in Red Bull Ampol colours right before Ford’s big Detroit launch—yeah, that’s not just some random stunt. Feels like he’s leaving his options open. And honestly, that big endurance race on the other side of the world? It doesn’t seem so far away anymore.
GEORGE RUSSELL ADMITS ANTONELLI IS "EXCEPTIONALLY QUICK" BUT REFUSES TO CONCEDE TITLE
Kimi Antonelli secured his 3rd straight F1 win in Miami, leaving George Russell 43 seconds behind and 20 points down in the title race. (130 chars)
George Russell isn’t flinching. He’s not ready to let go of the story, even as Kimi Antonelli keeps grabbing headlines. Antonelli’s been tearing it up this season – three straight wins, all from pole – and it’s got people talking. Miami was rough for Russell; he finished fourth, over 43 seconds behind Antonelli. That gap isn’t just big; it’s glaring, and it’s putting some real heat on their rivalry at Mercedes.
Russell isn’t pretending things are fine, but he’s not throwing in the towel either. He gets what Antonelli’s doing and gives props where they’re deserved. “He’s a fantastic driver, and he’s been fast since day one,” Russell said. “You don’t win all those championships as a kid if you’re not quick.” He means it, but he’s also drawing a boundary. Russell still believes in himself, and he’s not giving up on the championship.
“I’ve still got confidence in myself, and I haven’t forgotten how to drive,” he said with a little smile. “It’s just a tricky patch, but we’re only four races in; there’s a lot more to come. We’ll sort things out over the next few weeks.”
That “tricky patch” doesn’t just mean some tough luck; it includes a 20-point deficit and a teammate who won’t stop rewriting history. Antonelli’s winning streak has changed the vibe at Mercedes, at least for now.
Russell knows all about momentum and how it doesn’t always stick around. “He’s got momentum right now; he’s flying,” Russell admitted. “But I’ve won championships myself, and I know momentum swings back and forth all year.” He actually doesn’t seem bothered by the points gap. “Honestly, I’m not even thinking about it,” he said.
It’s a calm answer from a guy who’s been here before, leaning on experience while Antonelli rides his hot streak. Russell keeps saying 'big picture, patience, not panic'.
“I just want to get back on top of the podium,” he said. “I had the pace for the first three races, but this weekend I was nowhere close. It could have gone very differently these last few weeks, and this weekend could’ve just been a blip. But some races in Japan and China didn’t go my way. That’s how F1 goes sometimes.”
Still, confidence doesn’t erase a 20-point gap, not if Antonelli keeps cruising. If Antonelli keeps piling up wins, Russell’s going to have to fight more than just the stopwatch. Losing to your teammate over and over starts to mess with your head. Russell began the season as the guy to beat, but the longer this keeps up, the tougher it gets to grab hold of the story again.
He’s holding firm, for now. But F1 doesn’t wait for anyone. What does Russell call “just a tricky run”? Well, if momentum doesn’t swing his way soon, it could become a whole lot more than that.
MAX VERSTAPPEN TAKES FRONT ROW IN MIAMI AS RED BULL UPGRADES DELIVER IMMEDIATE RESULTS
Charles Leclerc admitted surprise at Red Bull's pace after Max Verstappen finished P2, just 0.166s behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli.
Charles Leclerc expected Red Bull to bounce back, but he couldn’t help admiring Max Verstappen’s raw speed at the Miami Grand Prix.
Red Bull rolled into Miami with a big upgrade, looking to recover after a rough start to the season. Verstappen, a four-time world champ, landed his Red Bull in second during qualifying. He was only 0.166 seconds behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes, nearly snatching pole. After qualifying, Verstappen said he finally feels like he’s back in control of his car.
Leclerc was impressed by the turnaround. “Honestly, it’s not shocking to see Kimi up there. Mercedes has been the quickest team this year, and Kimi’s been amazing these last few races,” Leclerc said. “But Max and Red Bull are coming back like this? That’s a bit more surprising. The upgrades clearly worked, and you can’t forget how strong that team really is. You never expect them to just sit back and accept a slow start.”
He added, “We figured they’d come back swinging, but to see them right back on the front row after struggling at the start… that’s something else. It’s pretty remarkable. Still, my job’s the same: beat those guys. That’s where my head’s at right now.”
Leclerc had to settle for third on the grid for Sunday’s race. Ferrari looked strong early in qualifying, but their hopes faded by Q3.
He talked about the changing conditions, but didn’t think that’s what hurt Ferrari. “The wind definitely played a part, but track temperature wasn’t all that different, so I don’t think that’s the reason,” he said. “Maybe the track changed, and we didn’t see it coming, or maybe pushing harder today in qualifying just made our car’s weak spots stand out more.”
Leclerc admitted he hadn’t dug into the numbers yet; he’d just gotten out of the car. “We’ll have to check the details to figure out exactly where we lost time.”
