A break from Formula 1 usually means downtime. But for Max Verstappen, it simply means finding another steering wheel.
Amid a frustrating start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, the four-time world champion is using the five-week break not to switch off, but to explore yet another racing avenue.
This time, it’s Japan’s premier GT racing series that has caught his attention.
From F1 to Super GT?
Verstappen has expressed interest in competing in Super GT, widely regarded as the fastest championship for grand touring cars.
The series’ top-tier GT500 machines are so quick that they can even outpace hypercars from the World Endurance Championship around circuits like Fuji.
The Dutchman recently got a taste of that speed, completing laps in a Nissan Z GT500
at Fuji Speedway during a Red Bull promotional event.
Unsurprisingly, he loved the experience. But when it comes to committing to an actual race, Verstappen is more measured.
“It’s a great category. I wish they had a bit more of a standout one race, instead of just a championship,” he told Autosport. “If that were the case, it’s easier to commit to one; I cannot do a whole championship and do one race in a different championship.”
The Scheduling Puzzle
Verstappen’s packed F1 calendar makes it nearly impossible to commit to a full Super GT season. And without a marquee, one-off “blue-riband” event, a cameo appearance becomes harder to justify.
Still, there may be a window.
With Sepang International Circuit returning to the Super GT calendar, organisers have floated the idea of a wildcard GT500 entry in 2026. The race, scheduled between F1 rounds in Barcelona and Spielberg, could theoretically fit into Verstappen’s schedule.
However, the wildcard initiative is primarily aimed at promoting Malaysian drivers, meaning any Verstappen appearance would likely depend on external backing, possibly from Red Bull Racing.
So, for now, a Super GT debut remains uncertain.
