Max Verstappen Super GT clip sparks respect debate

Max Verstappen's Red Bull promotional video at Fuji Speedway has drawn criticism from Super GT veteran João Paulo de Oliveira, who says the clip disrespects the Japanese series and its drivers. The four-time F1 champion outpaced Atsushi Miyake by nearly two seconds in wet conditions, sparking a debate about how top-tier talent is portrayed in cross-series content.

Why it matters:

The incident highlights the delicate balance between showcasing F1's elite drivers and respecting the achievements of competitors in other top-level racing categories. As Verstappen expands his endurance racing portfolio, how his performances are framed could affect relationships between series.

The details:

• Verstappen tested a Red Bull-branded Super GT car in wet conditions at Fuji ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
• In an eight-minute video released last week, he first matched Miyake's benchmark within a tenth, then beat it by 1.785 seconds on his next lap.
• De Oliveira's complaint: The Brazilian driver, a Super GT competitor since 2006, posted on social media that presenting the result as if Verstappen was nearly two seconds faster after just a few laps “feels somewhat off.” He called for “respect for Super GT and its current drivers.”
• Miyake's reaction: The driver whose time was beaten was impressed, saying: “He's a champion, a world champion. By sharing the same car, I was able to see just how amazing his driving was.”

What's next:

Verstappen is set to make his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut this weekend, sharing a Red Bull-branded Mercedes-AMG GT3 with three other drivers. He has already competed in warm-up events at the Nordschleife, including a win later reversed for a tyre infringement. The 28-year-old has also hinted at returning to Fuji in 2027 for a dry-weather rematch.