Max Verstappen has been encouraged to explore a future in IndyCar racing after his Formula 1 career, with two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk advocating for the Dutch driver to make the transition. Verstappen’s ambitions beyond F1 have drawn attention due to his expressed interest in competing in different racing series as he nears the end of his current contract in 2028.
Recently spotted driving a GT3 car at the Nürburgring, Verstappen appeared to be testing new waters, stirring speculation about his intentions following his Formula 1 tenure. However, Luyendyk believes that IndyCar would be the ideal arena for Verstappen’s next chapter.
Why Arie Luyendyk Recommends IndyCar for Verstappen
Luyendyk expressed admiration for Verstappen’s skills and personality, emphasizing the driver’s extraordinary talent alongside his calm and steady demeanor. Highlighting this contrast, Luyendyk compared Verstappen’s radio communications during races to those of his British teammate Lando Norris, illustrating Verstappen’s maturity and composure under pressure.
I was watching the Brazilian race on Netflix, and there’s the radio communication. And then you hear Lando on the radio, and then you hear Max, and it’s like you’re listening to a 12-year-old Lando and you’re listening to a 30-year-old veteran Max,
Luyendyk said.
So calm, so calculated. Like, ‘Yeah, I can last another five minutes in this weather,’ you know, and Lando was saying, ‘Oh, we’re all going to die,’ or something like that.
Luyendyk also noted Verstappen’s exceptional multitasking ability, which he attributes to the driver’s early karting days and extensive experience with simulator racing. This combination, he believes, sharpens Verstappen’s decision-making and race awareness skills.
The Influence of Jos Verstappen on Max’s Development
Regarding Verstappen’s mental toughness and racing mindset, Luyendyk credited the strict guidance of Max’s father, Jos Verstappen, as a major factor. While acknowledging the harsh nature of this mentorship, Luyendyk believes it played a critical role in shaping Max into the elite driver he is today.
I might have been too soft. I wouldn’t have been aggressive enough,
Luyendyk admitted.
I’ve heard stories where he would be so verbal with him, it was unbelievable. Almost like child abuse. But hey, it made Max what he is. Next level kind of driver, but also mental.
This tough upbringing, combined with natural talent and technical skill, has allowed Verstappen to develop an almost instantaneous understanding of racing situations, a fact noted by Luyendyk in praising his high-level race instincts.
He just sees it – the whole picture – he’s got it in one nanosecond.
Implications for Verstappen’s Future and the Wider Motorsport Landscape
With Verstappen’s contract set to expire in 2028, speculation continues about whether he will remain in Formula 1 or seek new challenges elsewhere. Luyendyk’s suggestion to enter IndyCar aligns with growing interest among drivers to diversify their careers across different racing disciplines. Should Verstappen follow this path, his presence would bring heightened attention and competition to the IndyCar series.
Meanwhile, comparison between Verstappen and teammates like Norris also sheds light on the evolving dynamics within Red Bull’s lineup and highlights differences in experience and race management styles among young drivers in Formula 1 today. Verstappen’s calm and calculated approach underlines why drivers and experts view him as a formidable competitor not only on the F1 grid but potentially in other forms of motorsport as well.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Max Verstappen a millionaire?
A. As of December 2024, Forbes estimates Verstappen’s net worth at around $200 million. He gained this wealth from endorsements, investments, and his high Formula 1 salary. Before 2020, though, his salary was lower than many top F1 drivers.
Q. Did Max Verstappen apologize?
A. Christian Horner shared that Max Verstappen said sorry to the Red Bull team after crashing into George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. Because of this incident, Verstappen went from position 5 to position 10 when the race ended, as he received a 10-second penalty.
Q. Who did Max Verstappen lose respect for?
A. Max Verstappen stated that he “lost all respect” for George Russell after a hearing with race officials in Qatar about a qualifying incident in Formula 1.
Q. Has Max Verstappen apologized to Lando Norris?
A. He doesn’t have to apologize. I don’t expect it from him. I don’t believe he should say sorry.
I felt it was good racing, sometimes pushing the limits. We’ve talked about it and are both eager to race again.