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SUPER GT driver questions Verstappen Fuji video portrayal

by sports••0
SUPER GT driver questions Verstappen Fuji video portrayal
SUPER GT driver João Paulo Oliveira did not particularly appreciate the way the category and its drivers were portrayed in the promotional video featuring Max Verstappen driving at Fuji in wet conditions.
The four-time world champion attracted major attention in recent days after Red Bull released footage of his challenge against Atsushi Miyake, one of the standout drivers in Japan’s SUPER GT championship, at the iconic Fuji Speedway. Verstappen took to the track behind the wheel of a Nissan Z NISMO GT500 in extremely difficult wet conditions, with standing water and very poor visibility making the circuit especially treacherous.

What surprised many fans most, however, was the pace shown by the Dutchman almost immediately. On a flooded track, Verstappen managed to lap nearly two seconds faster than the benchmark time set by the Japanese SUPER GT driver, a result that quickly sparked widespread discussion online.

On social media, however, Oliveira appeared unconvinced by the way the challenge was presented in the final video released by Red Bull. The SUPER GT driver suggested the comparison felt somewhat misleading, pointing out that in rapidly changing wet conditions lap times can fluctuate dramatically within just a few minutes.

“Verstappen’s GT500 video released last night felt a bit misleading. In changing wet conditions, lap times can fluctuate by almost two seconds within just a few minutes. That’s why it felt strange to present it as if he was around two seconds faster than SUPER GT drivers after only a handful of laps. Even in promotional content, there should still be respect shown towards SUPER GT and its current drivers.”

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen’s 24h Nurburgring Hours weekend

Verstappen’s long-awaited 24h Nurburgring debut is set to begin on Thursday, when drivers first hit the track for the opening qualifying sessions around the legendary Nordschleife. The first session will run from 13:15 to 15:15 local time, before a second evening qualifying session takes place between 20:00 and 23:30.

Action resumes early on Friday with a packed day of qualifying, starting with Top Qualifying 1 from 08:50 to 09:25 and Top Qualifying 2 from 09:45 to 10:20. Qualifying 3 is then scheduled from 10:35 until 11:50, while the final Top Qualifying session of the weekend will take place between 13:35 and 14:35.

Saturday’s programme opens with the warm-up session from 10:00 to 11:00 local time before attention turns to the race itself. Grid procedures are set to begin at 12:45, followed by the formation lap at 14:40, with the 2026 24h Nurburgring race officially getting underway at 15:00. The race will then run through the night before ending exactly 24 hours later on Sunday afternoon.