In a jaw-dropping move, Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 world champion, was spotted behind the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GT3 at Mugello, sparking wild speculation about his future amidst Red Bull’s performance nosedive this season. With the 2024 F1 title slipping through his fingers, is the Dutchman setting his sights elsewhere, or was it just a casual test session?
Verstappen, who’s been putting in relentless effort to salvage Red Bull’s lackluster campaign, took the short break before the U.S. Grand Prix to test the high-performance Ferrari, raising eyebrows across the motorsport world. Although the 27-year-old has been known for his passion for GT3 racing, this latest sighting is bound to set tongues wagging.
This isn’t Verstappen’s first flirtation with Ferrari’s GT3 machinery. The Dutch ace has previously tested the same chassis during the 2023 winter break, fueling rumors of a future beyond Formula 1. The test took place under the banner of his very own Verstappen.com racing team, a project Verstappen has been nurturing for some time now. The session at Mugello was attended by his father, Jos Verstappen, and other key figures in his racing circle.
While Verstappen was off testing a Ferrari, his Red Bull team is scrambling to regain its former dominance. Recent upgrades have done little to improve their chances, with team advisor Helmut Marko admitting that while some progress has been made, it’s far from enough. “Performance in Austin will be the real test,” Marko confessed, as Red Bull continues to struggle against the rising tide of McLaren’s dominant pace.
With Red Bull’s championship hopes hanging by a thread, the prospect of Verstappen finding solace—and success—in the GT3 world seems less far-fetched than ever. The next six races will be critical for Red Bull, but the Dutchman’s focus may already be shifting.
Is this just a hobby for Verstappen or a sign of what’s to come? One thing is clear: the motorsport world will be watching closely.
