Max Verstappen Hints at Future Motorsport Switch After...

Max Verstappen Hints at Future Motorsport Switch After…read more

Three-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has once again hinted at a potential career switch away from F1 after participating in a behind-the-scenes test with a rival motorsport series. The Dutch driver, who has been linked with moves to teams like Mercedes and Aston Martin, has also been vocal about the possibility of an early retirement from the sport. Unlike veterans such as Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, who continue racing into their 40s, Verstappen has suggested he may not follow the same path.

While he has yet to confirm an exact timeline for his F1 departure, Verstappen has often discussed his ambitions beyond the pinnacle of motorsport. These include exploring management roles in virtual racing and participating in different racing disciplines. One of the series he has frequently expressed interest in is IMSA, North America’s premier sports car championship.

In a recent YouTube video with Honda Racing, Verstappen was seen testing the Acura ARX-06, a car used in IMSA’s top-tier GTP class. This behind-the-scenes footage has further fueled speculation about his post-F1 plans. Verstappen has already competed in various sim racing IMSA events, including the virtual Rolex 24 at Daytona, and is known to be an avid follower of the sportscar championship. The test drive gave him a real-world taste of IMSA racing, and his comments in the video suggested it might not be the last time he gets behind the wheel of such a machine.

At the beginning of the video, Verstappen casually hinted at his future aspirations, saying, “I watch you guys already. I just need to practice, you know, for the future.” The test session allowed him to familiarize himself with the car, and the footage captured him completing multiple laps with the raw sound of the engine providing an immersive experience for viewers.

Verstappen’s interest in sportscar racing aligns with his broader desire to explore different motorsport categories. The endurance racing format of IMSA, which includes iconic races like the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, could be an appealing challenge for the Dutch driver. His passion for sim racing, where he has already competed in virtual IMSA events, suggests he is seriously considering transitioning to real-life endurance racing at some point in his career.

Despite being contracted with Red Bull until 2028, Verstappen has remained open about his future options. His growing frustrations with F1’s evolving regulations, coupled with the sport’s increasing political and commercial pressures, have led him to contemplate an early exit. If he does leave the series earlier than expected, IMSA or other endurance racing championships could become his next destination.

For now, Verstappen remains focused on defending his F1 titles, but his test with the Acura ARX-06 indicates that his long-term plans could involve a shift to endurance racing. Whether he will make the transition while still competing in F1 or wait until he retires remains to be seen, but his latest test suggests that a move to IMSA is more than just a passing interest.