“I Would Like to Do It”: Max Verstappen Sparks NASCAR Buzz With Six-Word Surprise
If there’s ever been a motorsport crossover that could shake up both hemispheres of racing, this might be it—Formula 1 and NASCAR, finally meeting in the fast lane. Over the past few years, fans have witnessed more interaction between these two worlds, and the latest twist in this saga involves none other than four-time reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen.
The momentum began when former F1 champion Jenson Button took on NASCAR in 2023, racing at COTA with Rick Ware Racing. Though his F1 career ended in 2017, Button’s transition into stock cars cracked open the door. Now, Verstappen—still at the peak of his F1 dominance—might be eyeing that same door.
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<strong>Verstappen’s Six Words That Set the Internet on Fire</strong>
The buzz ignited when NASCAR’s Trackhouse Racing shared a video on Instagram showing Verstappen chatting with rising NASCAR star Connor Zilisch during a motorsport showcase in Austria. Amidst roaring engines and a mix of rally, F1, and NASCAR machinery, Zilisch offered Verstappen a shot in his #87 stock car.
Max’s reply? “I would like to do it.”
That single sentence sent fans and media into a frenzy. It wasn’t a formal announcement, just a casual response—but it was enough to set imaginations racing. Verstappen has previously admitted that while he enjoys NASCAR sim racing, real-life participation would demand time and practice. “It’s a completely different discipline,” he once said in an interview, noting that transitioning between F1 and NASCAR isn’t easy—just like it wouldn’t be easy the other way around either.
<strong>Past Doubts, Future Hopes</strong>
Earlier, Verstappen had expressed reluctance about racing in real-world NASCAR or IndyCar, saying, “Not for me… I like to watch it, not to drive it myself.” But things may have changed. Just weeks ago, Verstappen quietly tested a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife under the alias “Franz Hermann.” That move, combined with the current tension inside the Red Bull Racing camp, has fans wondering if Max is exploring new horizons.
<strong>Project 91 and the Road to a Crossover</strong>
One of the clearest paths for Verstappen into NASCAR lies with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91—an initiative designed to welcome international racing stars for one-off appearances in the NASCAR Cup Series. With Verstappen’s ties to Red Bull and the global buzz surrounding him, the fit feels almost too perfect.
The speculation intensified when Project 91’s Instagram page cheekily commented, “@connorzilisch can you give him our number?” Fans quickly joined the hype, suggesting races like COTA—where F1 already has history—as the perfect venue for Max’s stock car debut.
<strong>Fans Believe Max Can Handle the NASCAR Heat</strong>
Social media flooded with comments from fans convinced that Verstappen could handle the switch. Some pointed to his aggressive driving style and control under pressure—traits that NASCAR demands. “Out of all the F1 drivers trying Cup, I bet he’d do good,” one user wrote. Another added, “He ain’t scared to rub and bang around a little bit.”
<strong>The Moment Feels Right</strong>
With NASCAR heading to Michigan and Formula 1 preparing for its Montréal stop—just across the border—the logistics and timing for a possible crossover appearance are more favorable than ever.
Will Max Verstappen actually race in NASCAR? Maybe not today, maybe not this season—but the interest is real, the invitation has been extended, and the fans are already buckled in. Whether it’s a one-off appearance through Project 91 or something bigger, one thing is clear: if Verstappen makes the jump, it would be one of the most explosive moments in modern motorsport history.