Max Verstappen Aces SuperGT Test Amid Oscar Piastri Replacement Rumors

OYAMA, JAPAN – MARCH 25: OYAMA, JAPAN – MARCH 25: Max Verstappen during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Fuji International Speedway on March 25, 2026 in Oyama, Japan. (Photograph by Vladimir Rys) // SI202605070188 // Usage for editorial use only //

Miyake was left genuinely impressed, and was beautifully modest about it.

“Although it was unfortunately raining, I was still able to actually see how good he is, so I was really excited and had a great time.”

Last September, Verstappen gained the endurance racing licence he needed by competing in the Nürburgring Langstrecken Series in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS, and two weeks later won on his GT3 debut driving a Ferrari 296 GT3.

Earlier this year he also returned to the Nordschleife aboard the Mercedes-AMG GT3 he is set to race at the 24-hour event, initially winning the four-hour race by 59.5 seconds before later being disqualified for exceeding the maximum tyre allocation.

OYAMA, JAPAN – MARCH 25: OYAMA, JAPAN – MARCH 25: Max Verstappen during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Fuji International Speedway on March 25, 2026 in Oyama, Japan. (Photograph by Vladimir Rys) // SI202605070189 // Usage for editorial use only //

The Fuji session fits neatly into a pattern of a driver who is rapidly building a second career for when he leaves F1.

And about that first career…

Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, but it’s understood there is a clause in the deal that allows him to leave earlier if he is not within the top two of the world championship by the summer break. Red Bull have been off the pace so far in 2026, leaving the four-time world champion down in seventh on 26 points, without a podium this year and 54 points adrift of the top two.

That clause could be looking mighty interesting to Verstappen right now.

Red Bull’s Piastri Plan Isn’t a Secret Anymore

According to a report from Motorsport.com, Red Bull has singled out Oscar Piastri as its preferred replacement for Verstappen should the four-time champion leave the team.

Team principal Laurent Mekies and Oliver Mintzlaff are reportedly ready to move forward with the Piastri plan in the unlikely yet plausible scenario of Verstappen switching teams, taking a sabbatical, or leaving F1 altogether.

Laurent Mekies is understood to be more open to targeting proven drivers from rival teams if necessary. And while Piastri remains under contract with McLaren until at least the end of 2027, and while the Woking-based squad sees him as a central part of its long-term project, he’s thought to be part of the plan at Milton Keynes.

Red Bull can plan for Piastri all it wants. Verstappen is out here beating Super GT professionals in the rain, on a circuit he’d never seen before, in a car he’d barely sat in. He’ll land on his feet.