Max Verstappen makes surprise Super GT test appearance in Red Bull-liveried Nissan

F1 champion Max Verstappen turned heads in Japan by driving a Nissan Z GT500 car during a private Super GT test at Fuji Speedway. The outing was part of a Red Bull promotional shoot, marking a rare foray for the Dutch driver into Japan's premier racing series ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's appearance highlights his growing interest in motorsport disciplines outside of Formula 1, following his planned debut in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. It also underscores Red Bull's historical and ongoing promotional ties to Japanese motorsport, a market where its former engine partner, Honda, remains a key player despite current F1 struggles.

The details:

• The four-time world champion completed several laps in a wet session at Fuji, getting acquainted with the GT500 car's two-litre inline-four turbo engine.
• The test was a closed, manufacturer-only event with no official lap times released.
• This was only Verstappen's second time in a modern Super GT car, having previously sampled a Honda NSX-GT in 2022.
• A Red Bull-liveried Honda NSX GT3 car was also present in the GT300 class during the two-day test.
• The activity comes after Verstappen and his Mercedes-AMG teammates provisionally won an NLS race at the Nürburgring last weekend, though they were later disqualified for a tire infringement.

What's next:

The focus immediately shifts back to Formula 1, with Verstappen aiming to rebound from a difficult start to the season at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. Currently eighth in the standings with only eight points, he faces a significant points deficit to early championship leader George Russell. His extracurricular driving, however, signals a continued desire to compete and promote the brand across the global motorsport landscape.