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.
KIMI ANTONELLI LEADS F1; GEORGE RUSSELL DROPS TO FOURTH AFTER FRUSTRATING P4 FINISH AT SUZUKA
Kimi Antonelli leads the F1 championship! Discover why George Russell is under fire, and Max Verstappen is eyeing a Mercedes seat.
Heading into 2026, everyone had George Russell pegged as the clear favourite for the F1 drivers’ title. Now, Kimi Antonelli is the one stealing the spotlight.
Russell’s in the toughest spot of his Mercedes career, and every time his 19-year-old teammate lays down another blistering lap, the pressure ramps up.
Back-to-back wins in China and Japan haven’t just made Antonelli a real threat for the championship hey’ve totally changed the vibe in the Mercedes garage. Suddenly, everyone’s looking at Russell differently.
It’s a harsh reality. Russell’s now 28, this is his fifth season with Mercedes, and before the season, the bookies put him at the top. But things haven’t gone his way: car problems and Antonelli off to a flying start have made life as the team’s “senior driver” anything but easy.
Antonelli is leading the championship with 97 points; he’s 22 clear of Russell, and he’s won two of the season’s first three races.
The pressure on Russell goes deeper than just being outscored by his teammate. The clock’s ticking, and the spectre of Max Verstappen isn’t going away.
Antonelli’s rise has been ruthless. He’s snagged a pole in both China and Japan. Every big result just confirms what some at Mercedes are starting to admit: he looks like the future, especially since he’s so good on the tough tyre compounds.
Antonelli himself isn’t pretending he’s the finished product. After his win in Japan, where he slipped back to sixth at the start, by the way, he said his launches off the line “definitely” need work. “It’s been a weak point this year, and I need to improve that because you can easily win or lose races with that.” Still, he’s on top. After Japan, he said, “It’s too early to think about the championship, but we’re in a good way.” He’s ambitious, but grounded.
Russell, meanwhile, battled a rear suspension setup issue at Suzuka. Too much oversteer, not enough grip. Toto Wolff admitted the tweak “put the car on the nose” and hurt them on Sunday. Russell crossed the line fourth, losing more ground to Antonelli.
People are noticing the shift. Christian Danner, former F1 driver, reckons Russell’s going to fight back. Maybe he will. But as the points gap grows and each race builds Antonelli’s reputation, talk is cheap.
Here’s the wild card: Mercedes could go for Verstappen.
The four-time champ is sitting in ninth, with only 12 points after three rounds. That’s foreign territory for Max. With Red Bull floundering and upcoming 2026 rules causing headaches, he’s reportedly rethinking his future there.
Sure, Verstappen’s Red Bull contract goes through 2028. But there are performance clauses he can walk if he’s outside the top two by summer break. That’s not looking so far-fetched the way things are standing.
He’s called the new cars “fundamentally flawed.” Is he admitting he’s “seriously considering quitting Formula 1.” And last year? Mercedes and Verstappen’s people were in talks. It even held up Russell’s contract talks with Wolff.
If Verstappen comes on the market, you know Wolff’s going to take a serious look. He’s openly a fan. For Russell, that’s unsettling. If Mercedes keeps winning and Verstappen wants in, Russell’s seat isn’t safe.
Russell came to Mercedes back in 2022, expecting to be a title contender. He got his first win in São Paulo that year, and he’s been a reliable points finisher, fourth in the 2025 standings with 319 points, a personal best.
But being “reliable” doesn’t cut it when a teenager is beating you and a superstar like Verstappen could be about to knock on the door.
It’s only been three races, but Antonelli’s already ahead 2–1 in both qualifying and race results, and those two are poles and outright wins.
Wolff tried to pump up Russell before things got started, calling him “one of the best” and saying it was nice he was the bookies’ top pick. But Wolff also tipped Antonelli to step up in his second season. That’s already coming true.
Russell’s shot at a championship is getting slimmer by the week. If Antonelli keeps this up and if Verstappen’s name enters the mix, Mercedes has some massive decisions ahead.
At this point, Russell’s fighting for more than just a title. He’s fighting to prove he deserves a place at the top at all.
ZAK BROWN COMPLETES A "RED BULL HAT-TRICK" BY SIGNING GIANPIERO LAMBIASE FOR 2028
Zak Brown confirms GianPiero Lambiase joins McLaren as Chief Racing Officer. See how this impacts Red Bull and Verstappen.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has finally spoken up after landing GianPiero Lambiase as the team’s new Formula 1 Chief Racing Officer starting in 2028.
News of Lambiase’s move from Red Bull to McLaren has already got people buzzing in the paddock. And really, it’s a big deal that the reigning constructors’ champions just added another heavyweight to their ranks. First, Rob Marshall, known for his aerodynamic expertise, came on board. Then Will Courtenay, the former Head of Strategy, joined too. Now, Lambiase completes the trio.
We still don’t know exactly what Lambiase will be handling, but he’ll report to Team Principal Andrea Stella, who’s been rumoured to have caught Ferrari’s eye.
Brown couldn’t hide his excitement in his first public comments. He went on X to announce: “Happy to share that GianPiero Lambiase will join the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team as Chief Racing Officer, reporting into Team Principal Andrea Stella, when his contract ends no later than 2028. He joins an incredible team under Andrea’s leadership, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.”
Red Bull’s statement had a totally different vibe. The team confirmed Lambiase would leave in 2028, when his contract is up, but stopped short of saying when he could head over to McLaren. “GP is a valued member of the team, who joined in 2015. Until his planned departure, GP continues in his roles as head of racing and as race engineer to Max Verstappen. The team and he are fully committed to adding more success to our strong track record together.”
Honestly, Zak Brown is shaking things up in the F1 paddock. He’s snagging Red Bull’s big names, much like Christian Horner did to Mercedes when the ground effect era started. Lambiase’s decision to join McLaren really does feel like the end of an era for Red Bull.
