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.
KIM KARDASHIAN AND LEWIS HAMILTON SPOTTED ON ROMANTIC EUROPEAN TOUR TOGETHER
Kim Kardashian and F1 star Lewis Hamilton are turning heads across Europe as insiders reveal Kim's "Russell Wilson" nickname.
Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton are the latest celebrity duo making waves, and apparently, Kim’s already got a cheeky nickname for him. The two have been spotted out together in the Cotswolds, London, and Paris, just enjoying themselves and turning a few heads in the process.
Word is, Kim’s close friends are spilling a few details about this new romance. One insider claims Lewis isn’t looking to settle down right now, but Kim still has a special name for him—she calls him “her Russell Wilson”. If you know the reference, it’s a nod to NFL star Russell Wilson, who married singer Ciara after her high-profile breakup with rapper Future. Friends say Kim thinks of Lewis as a “sophisticated upgrade” from her ex, Kanye West.
Kim and Kanye—now legally known as Ye—were married from 2014 to 2021 and share four kids. Their co-parenting relationship is famously complicated.
Kim’s reportedly a bit anxious about how Kanye will react to her new thing with Lewis, considering Kanye and Lewis were friends back in the day. One source told the Mail, “They’re both cautious about Kanye’s feelings since he and Lewis go way back. Kim’s living for herself these days, but she doesn’t want to poke the bear. They know this could set Kanye off, so they’re keeping it light and just having fun for now.”
Kim and Lewis first crossed paths years ago at GQ’s 2014 Men of the Year Awards. Back then, they both showed up with their now-exes—Kim was with Ye, and Lewis was with Nicole Scherzinger.
Kanye even had Lewis over for Easter one year. He talked about it: “Lewis Hamilton’s over at my house, and we’re playing some music in my studio. We’re having Easter brunch—my wife’s family, my friends, everyone’s there. And everybody’s like, ‘What is this music?’ and I’m like, ‘It’s Lewis Hamilton’s music.’”
Since splitting from Ye, Kim’s dated Pete Davidson and moved on. Kanye’s remarried, too—this time to Australian architect Bianca Censori.
Those two have been in the headlines a lot, usually for their wild fashion choices. Things got especially wild when Bianca showed up at the Grammy Awards in a see-through gown. She arrived in a black fur coat but ditched it to reveal a sheer dress that left little to the imagination. People at the event were definitely stunned.
FERRARI SF-26 COMPLETES 121 LAPS IN HISTORIC LEWIS HAMILTON-LECLERC BARCELONA DEBUT
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc completed a "productive" 121-lap debut for the Ferrari SF-26 during 2026 testing in Barcelona.
Ferrari kicked off its on-track work for the 2026 Formula One season with a steady first day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc split driving duties in the team’s bold new car, and the whole thing felt like the start of a new chapter.
With the 2026 rules shaking up both the chassis and the power unit, Ferrari didn’t chase lap times. They zeroed in on checking systems, making sure their data lined up, and ironing out any reliability kinks. The weather threw a few curveballs—rain, some dry patches—but even so, they got through their plan and stacked up plenty of laps.
Leclerc seemed upbeat after his first taste of the new machine. He said it felt good to get back behind the wheel and start figuring out the car, even if the focus was just on systems and not raw speed. “We came here to understand how everything works,” he said. “With the weather mixed up, today was all about checks. We finished what we set out to do, and the car did what we expected. It’s a solid start and a decent base.”
Hamilton, now officially in Ferrari red, felt the same. For him, it was a busy day—lots of on-track time, plenty of new things to get used to—but he called it productive. “We got good mileage, learnt a lot, and didn’t hit any big issues. That’s what matters with so many changes coming in. This gives us a strong platform for the next few days.”
Ferrari’s Head of Track Engineering, Matteo Togninalli, stressed how important it was just to get through the day cleanly. “Given the conditions, it went well for us,” he said. Rain or not, they racked up the laps and—most importantly—avoided any real reliability problems. That’s the top priority when you’re shaking down a brand-new car and engine.
Performance talk? Still way too early for that. Right now, Ferrari’s just learning how this new car behaves, gathering data, and building up bit by bit as the days go on—keeping their focus squarely on themselves.