Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion, has ignited widespread excitement with hints about his interest in making a NASCAR debut. This growing curiosity from Verstappen, known primarily for his dominance in Formula 1, has fans and experts alike debating whether his racing prowess could translate to stock-car success as he contemplates testing the distinctly different discipline of NASCAR.
Verstappen’s emerging enthusiasm follows a long history of crossover between Formula 1 and NASCAR, with past legends such as Mario Andretti and Nigel Mansell having tested their mettle in stock-car racing. Andretti famously won the Daytona 500 in 1967, while Mansell was courted by NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt in the early 1990s. Verstappen’s statements on social media and interviews have revived this fascination, fueling speculation about his potential venture into American stock cars.
Verstappen’s Growing Fascination with NASCAR and Stock-Car Racing
Despite his primary focus on Formula 1, Verstappen has openly expressed admiration for NASCAR and related racing formats. In a 2021 interview, he admitted,
“I would like to try NASCAR one day… it would be a fun challenge.”
—Max Verstappen
He has explored NASCAR-style racing in virtual simulators, acknowledging the steep learning curve involved. During a 2022 interview, he explained,
“To get good…will take quite a bit of time.”
and added,
“It’s not easy…you need to really grow up with it.”
—Max Verstappen
His respect for the demands of stock-car racing is clear, underscoring the stark contrast to the skills and experience needed in Formula 1. However, due to time zone differences, Verstappen has found it challenging to watch NASCAR races live, which often start around midnight in Europe, limiting his direct exposure despite his interest.
The recent stir came after a Reddit post showed Verstappen wearing Red Bull racing gear and casually stating,
“I mean, I would like to do it,”
—Max Verstappen
indicating a genuine desire to participate in NASCAR events, not just as speculation but as a realistic future pursuit. This aligns with precedents set by drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya, who made a full transition from Formula 1 and IndyCar to NASCAR and competed at the highest level, winning races and pursuing championship points during his tenure.
Other F1 Drivers Showing Interest in NASCAR
Verstappen’s interest is shared by several current Formula 1 stars who admire NASCAR and have expressed a wish to try the series. Lando Norris, one of McLaren’s top drivers, has described himself as a massive fan of NASCAR and stated his enjoyment of watching stock-car races.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton recalled a past car swap experience with NASCAR legend Tony Stewart and remarked that he,
would love to try [NASCAR] at some stage.
—Lewis Hamilton
Daniel Ricciardo similarly paid tribute to NASCAR heritage by driving Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s vintage #3 Chevrolet around the Circuit of the Americas in 2021 after a Formula 1 victory, illustrating the respect many F1 drivers hold for NASCAR champions and their desire to explore this racing world.
Fan Reactions and the Heated NASCAR-F1 Rivalry
The potential Max Verstappen NASCAR debut has ignited passionate discussion among motorsport fans and communities online. Social media has become a hotbed for cross-discipline debate, reflecting both excitement and rivalry. One fan remarked,
“Verstappen at Daytona would be box office gold! His aggressive style suits NASCAR perfectly.”
—Fan
Adding fuel to the rivalry, a fan trolling the ongoing debate between NASCAR’s Kyle Larson and Verstappen noted,
“The Larson fans can finally settle their claim that he is better than max,”
—Fan
This refers to Larson’s 2024 assertion that his versatility across dirt racing, sprint cars, and NASCAR makes him an all-around superior driver compared to Verstappen, who dominates open-wheel racing. Larson claimed,
“I know in my mind I am better than him as an all-around driver,”
—Kyle Larson
Yet, he conceded the differences between disciplines, acknowledging
“there’s probably no way he can go win a Formula 1 race at Monaco.”
—Kyle Larson
Verstappen’s terse reply to Larson’s claim, “That’s fine,” did little to quell the rivalry and sparked further discussion on how the two drivers’ styles and capabilities might compare across racing forms.
Assessing Verstappen’s Driving Style and Its NASCAR Suitability
Fans and commentators debate how Verstappen’s aggressive Formula 1 approach would translate into NASCAR racing. Some view him as relatively cautious in wheel-to-wheel scenarios, citing his clean conduct at the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix, where Red Bull’s Christian Horner praised Verstappen for avoiding early-race contact against competitors like George Russell. Horner called his performance squeaky clean, a contrast to the hard-knock, bumper-to-bumper combat common in NASCAR.
Verstappen himself reflected on his driving style, saying,
“I am still aggressive but probably a bit cleaner [than my father].”
—Max Verstappen
However, others see potential for Verstappen to adapt to NASCAR’s robust racing tactics, noting his infamous 2025 Spanish Grand Prix collision with Russell during a safety car restart. The incident drew sharp criticism, with Russell calling it “totally unnecessary” and former champion Nico Rosberg describing the move as “horrible” and “seriously bad.” NASCAR enthusiasts argue this tenacity and willingness to mix it up in close quarters could help Verstappen acclimate quickly to stock-car racing.
One fan commented,
“The way he rammed George Russell recently I think he’d fit right in.”
—Fan
The Challenge of Transitioning from Formula 1 to NASCAR
Many fans recognize the significant differences in racing styles and strategies between the two disciplines. NASCAR races often involve long stints of side-by-side racing, sometimes lasting hundreds of laps, whereas Formula 1 features strategic pit stops and precise overtaking in shorter, intense races.
A longtime observer shared,
“I would like to see it just to give some perspective to f1 fans how much different it is. Who knows how Max would do but would love to see how he’d perform in a midfield car 3 wide for 400 laps.”
—Observer
This comment highlights the endurance, patience, and racing instincts required for NASCAR, which differ markedly from Formula 1’s focus on precision and qualifying speed.
Verstappen’s prior racing experiences include considerable virtual racing pursuits in GT3 and endurance events, such as iRacing Bathurst 12-Hour wins with Lando Norris and virtual victories at Spa 24 and Petit Le Mans. Fans have noted that Verstappen occasionally practices on oval tracks in virtual truck racing, where he reportedly “nearly lapped everyone.” While far from full oval racing, these efforts show his eagerness to explore diverse motorsport challenges beyond Formula 1.
The Broader Impact of Verstappen’s NASCAR Interest on Motorsport Fans
Max Verstappen’s expressed interest in NASCAR has energized a broad spectrum of motorsport followers, from fans who thrive on cross-series rivalries to those who appreciate the unique skills demanded by different racing formats. The prospect of one of Formula 1’s brightest stars competing in NASCAR would surely create headline-grabbing moments and potentially expand the audience for both sports.
Such an entry could also inspire other drivers to test boundaries between open-wheel and stock-car racing, continuing the legacy of crossover competitors like Juan Pablo Montoya and Mario Andretti who successfully navigated these transitions in the past.
With Red Bull’s subtle tease and Verstappen’s own admissions, there is palpable hope that the four-time world champion’s curiosity could evolve into a memorable debut. Fans remain anxious but eager to see if Verstappen’s relentless drive and competitive spirit will translate into a new motorsport chapter, blending the high-speed precision of Formula 1 with the intense racing battles of NASCAR’s stock cars.