Verstappen tests Red Bull-liveried Super GT car at wet Fuji

Max Verstappen took a break from his Formula 1 duties to sample a Nissan Z NISMO GT500 Super GT car at a wet Fuji Speedway, marking his second outing in the Japanese racing series. The test was part of a Red Bull promotional event, with the car running in the energy drink's iconic livery for the first time since 2022. The outing follows his recent Nürburgring Nordschleife race and comes just days before the F1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

Why it matters:

Verstappen’s continued exploration of different racing disciplines underscores his reputation as a pure racer, constantly seeking new challenges outside the F1 calendar. These cross-category tests provide valuable experience in different car behaviors and conditions, which can indirectly benefit his primary role. For Super GT, having the reigning three-time F1 World Champion drive one of its premier cars is a significant promotional boost, highlighting the series' performance and prestige on a global stage.

The details:

• The test took place at Fuji Speedway in wet conditions, with Verstappen sharing driving duties with Kondo Racing's Atsushi Miyake.
• The Nissan Z was wrapped in a full Red Bull livery, reviving the brand's presence in Super GT after it last sponsored Team Mugen's Honda NSX-GT in 2022.
• This was Verstappen's second time driving a Super GT machine, having previously sampled a Honda NSX-GT at Motegi during the 2022 Honda Thanks Day event.
• The Fuji run comes shortly after Verstappen raced—and initially won—in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) with his own team, Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, before being disqualified for a technical infringement related to tyre usage.

What's next:

Verstappen now immediately turns his focus back to Formula 1 for the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit on March 27-29. The high-speed, flowing track is a favorite among drivers and a venue where he has historically been strong, making him a prime contender for victory. His off-track adventures in GT cars, while promotional, keep him sharp and engaged in the lead-up to the Grand Prix weekend.