To deny Max Verstappen’s immense talent, one would either have to be acting in bad faith or be accustomed to ignoring the undeniable. He can be arrogant, cocky, and even unpleasant at times, but on track he shines at the very highest level. Whether in Formula 1, behind the wheel of a simulator, or in the Ferrari 296 GT3 with which he dominated the Nürburgring 4 Hours thanks to a stunning opening stint, Verstappen is always blisteringly fast. His approach to racing even has something romantic and old-fashioned about it: we will never see him at a fashion show, on the cover of glossy magazines, or endlessly repeating politically correct phrases. But we always know where to find him — at the track.
This time, he was driving a Ferrari. Even though he stepped onto the podium without the Prancing Horse badge on his chest, there was something undeniably fascinating about seeing the names Verstappen and Ferrari side by side. The four-time world champion will be exploring his options once the 2026 season concludes, and Ferrari cannot afford to ignore the possibility. We are talking about a generational talent, a force of nature who is both relentless and inspiring. It is true that without the right car he cannot perform miracles, but we have already seen him deliver thrilling, unforgettable performances even in less competitive machinery.
Max Verstappen is not the type to make romantic declarations about Ferrari. Fans will never hear him say that driving the red car was a lifelong dream or that racing for the Scuderia would give his career its ultimate meaning. Instead, he has already made it clear to everyone that although Ferrari is “a huge brand,” he would only choose to drive for them “to win and not just to race there.” His triumph in the Nürburgring 4 Hours offered a taste of that mindset. Verstappen is a ruthless winner, not someone who venerates the brand in every interview.
Of course, Ferrari fans still remember a painful line from nearly six years ago: “It happens when you stop cheating…” Looking back, and considering the secret agreement between Maranello and the FIA at the beginning of 2020, how unbalanced did Max’s statement turn out to be?
So, what effect would Max Verstappen in Ferrari colors really have on Formula 1? Personally, I could not wait to tell that story…
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