Max Verstappen's hidden traffic trick and Super GT video controversy

Max Verstappen is closing in on his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut, and the four-time world champion is already turning heads with a hidden skill: his mastery of traffic. Endurance racing veteran Markus Winkelhock spotted a subtle technique in Verstappen's onboard footage that he says reveals the Dutchman already thinks like an endurance racer. Meanwhile, a promotional video of Verstappen testing a Red Bull-branded Super GT car at Fuji Speedway has sparked a backlash, with Super GT driver João Paulo de Oliveira calling for more "respect."

Why it matters:

Verstappen's move into endurance racing marks a major shift for a driver who has dominated F1's single-seater world. His ability to adapt to multi-class traffic and the unique demands of the Nürburgring Nordschleife could redefine his legacy beyond Formula 1. The Super GT controversy also highlights the tension between F1's global superstar and the tight-knit world of Japanese motorsport.

The details:

• Traffic technique: Winkelhock analyzed Verstappen's onboard from an NLS race and found a specific way he approaches slower cars through the Flugplatz section. The trick is nearly invisible to TV cameras but gives Verstappen a consistent advantage when lapping traffic.
• Super GT drama: Red Bull released an eight-minute video of Verstappen's wet test at Fuji in March. De Oliveira claimed the video showed a lack of respect for regular Super GT drivers, though Atsushi Miyake — whose benchmark time Verstappen obliterated — did not share that view.
• Broader context: Verstappen has already won two NLS races (with one disqualification) and is now preparing for the 24-hour classic, one of the world's most chaotic endurance events.

What's next:

Verstappen will make his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut later this year, driving for a team yet to be confirmed. The Super GT test was a one-off, but speculation persists about a future full-time program. For now, the focus remains on his endurance learning curve — and whether his traffic-handling mastery can survive 24 hours of the Green Hell.