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.
SERGIO PEREZ BREAKS SILENCE ON CADILLAC’S FIRST FOUR RACES OF 2026 F1 SEASON
Discover why Sergio Perez is confident in Cadillac’s 2026 path despite urgent needs for better pace and reliability fixes.
Sergio Perez didn’t waste time sharing his thoughts on Cadillac after the first four races of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Cadillac shows up in 2026 as F1’s newest team, but honestly, not a lot of people expected fireworks right away. With veterans like Valtteri Bottas and Perez behind the wheel, the team’s start has been a mix, some moments full of promise, others derailed by reliability issues.
Still, Cadillac isn’t just stuck at the back. Lately, they’ve been right there fighting with Aston Martin and even managed to split them in Miami, which turned a few heads.
Perez knows the team is at risk of falling behind in this crazy-fast development race, though. “We still have work to do, but I’m confident we’re on the right path,” he told reporters, including Motorsport Week.
He added, “Sometimes, once tyre degradation sets in, we can hang with the midfield, but they always seem to find another gear. There’s a long way to go this season, but we’re in a rush to find more pace. We know Aston will get stronger, and we don’t want to be left behind.”
Racing Aston Martin has actually brought Perez some enjoyment. He especially likes battling Fernando Alonso, calling those fights fair and satisfying. Still, he pointed out a weak spot: “We’re having fun with them. Racing Fernando is always great because he’s so fair. But we struggled with tyre degradation; we burnt through them too quickly. We picked the hard compound, but honestly, looking back, I should’ve gone with the soft.”
He said there’s plenty to analyse, and really, the key is getting a better grip on their car as they look ahead to Canada. “We don’t have much time, but in the short term, we need to fix the degradation. We have some ideas, but putting them together is our biggest challenge in the next few weeks.”
Cadillac may be the new kid on the block and still finding its feet, but it’s already starting to make an impact. The road out of the lower ranks won’t be easy, but they’re moving in the right direction.
HOW KIMI ANTONELLI’S THREE-RACE WIN STREAK IS REDEFINING THE MERCEDES TEAM HIERARCHY
With a 43-second gap in Miami, Antonelli proves he’s ready to lead the World Championship. Can Russell bounce back in Canada?
David Coulthard, the former Formula 1 driver, recently pointed out that Kimi Antonelli might be on track to overtake George Russell as Mercedes’ team leader.
Antonelli has been on an impressive run, clinching victories in the last three races and pulling ahead by 20 points over his main competitor and teammate, Russell.
At the Miami race, the young Italian once again outperformed his more seasoned teammate, with Russell managing only fourth place, trailing by 43 seconds.
Coulthard acknowledged Antonelli’s rapid rise in 2026, which is just his second season in F1. He highlighted Antonelli’s strengths and suggested that the Italian is, in many ways, now leading the Mercedes team.
“He’s come of age,” Coulthard said during the Up To Speed podcast.
Despite being relatively new, Antonelli has shown resilience, dealing not only with the pressure from a driver like Lando ready to strike but also with technical glitches like inconsistent paddle shifts. Coulthard mentioned how Antonelli kept his cool even when his engineer, Bono, was trying to help troubleshoot the issue in a tense moment.
“I think he’s earned the right to lead the World Championship,” Coulthard added, noting that this situation probably feels uncomfortable for George. Still, the expectations now lean heavily toward Antonelli leading the team, especially based on recent results.
Coulthard also pointed out that Russell has the experience and skill to reclaim his position as the team’s lead driver, but emphasised that only one can come out on top; someone must finish first and the other second.
The rivalry between them might start opening doors for other teams. Coulthard noted that improvements from McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull were already noticeable, especially in Miami.
“Winning in the best car isn’t always straightforward. Many have tried and struggled,” he said.
For Russell, who is feeling the weight of this momentum shift, the upcoming race in Canada will be crucial if he wants to close the gap and halt Antonelli’s winning streak.
