‘Next’ Max Verstappen Challenge Proposed as ‘High Risk’ Comments Resurface

Nine-time WRC champion Sebastien Ogier has suggested that Max Verstappen should try his hand at rallying after the Dutchman's impressive Nürburgring 24 Hours debut last weekend. Verstappen, the four-time F1 world champion, led the endurance race for much of the time before a driveshaft issue dropped his Mercedes-AMG GT3 to 38th.

Why it matters:

Ogier's proposal reignites the debate over whether Verstappen might follow his father Jos into rallying. While the reigning Belgian Rally Champion has found success off-road, Max has previously expressed serious reservations about the sport's inherent dangers—specifically, the unforgiving nature of hitting a tree.

The details:

• Ogier posted a selfie with Verstappen, his father, and race winner Maro Engel after the Nürburgring event, captioning it: “What’s next Max? Maybe rally like your father?”
• Verstappen's response: “You as teacher?”
• The exchange comes months after Verstappen tested Ogier's 2017 title-winning Ford Fiesta WRC car ahead of Ford's 2026 F1 launch.
• Risk comments resurface: On the “Up To Speed” podcast, Verstappen said: “I think about if I make a mistake and hit that tree, the tree is not moving… That for me is something I don’t want to do. It’s too high of a risk.”
• His father Jos, a two-time world championship runner-up in F1, crashed out of the Rally de Wallonie after hitting a tree just a few weeks ago.

What's next:

Despite the playful invitation from Ogier, Verstappen's own words suggest a full-time rally career is unlikely. However, his willingness to sample a WRC car and his father's deep ties to the sport leave the door open for occasional appearances—perhaps with a certain nine-time champion as co-driver.

Verstappen's focus remains on F1, where he is pursuing a fifth world title with Red Bull in 2026.