Max Verstappen Tests Nissan Z NISMO GT500 at Fuji Speedway Ahead of F1 Japanese Grand Prix
On a rainy Wednesday at Fuji Speedway, Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion, conducted a test drive of the Red Bull-liveried Nissan Z NISMO GT500. This event came in advance of the F1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Verstappen, who recently faced disqualification at the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Series for exceeding tire limits, shared the driving duties with Nissan GT500 factory driver Atsushi Miyake. The specific model tested is speculated to be the former #3 NISMO NDDP car, decommissioned after the 2025 season.
During a media session in Suzuka, Verstappen expressed an interest in competing in the Autobacs SUPER GT Series, contingent on his schedule. “It’s a fantastic car, fantastic category in general,” he noted. “I would love to race these cars… It really reminds me of how the old DTM cars used to be.”
He emphasized the differences between Japanese and European racing setups, stating, “It’s quite different to what we have in Europe… being able to drive so many different cars is always a good thing.”
This was not Verstappen’s first encounter with SUPER GT machinery; he previously drove a Honda NSX-GT at Mobility Resort Motegi in November 2022. Other F1 champions, including Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso, have also participated in the series, with Button claiming the GT500 title in 2018.
Verstappen’s experience underscores a potential crossover between F1 and SUPER GT, hinting at future possibilities for drivers eager to explore diverse racing formats.
Quotes sourced from Chris Medland / RACER.com. Image credits to Gruppe C Photography / Red Bull Content Pool and Kazuki Ito.
