MAX VERSTAPPEN JOINS SUPERCARS E-SERIES

Max Verstappen to make wildcard in Supercars eSeries – Photo: Supplied

Formula 1 star and avid sim racer Max Verstappen will contest the second round of the Supercars All Stars e-Series as a wildcard entry.

By HEATH McALPINE

Using a Holden ZB Commodore replicating the livery of his Formula 1 entry, the 22-year-old Dutchman will contest Wednesday night’s round at Barcelona, the venue where he took his maiden victory in Formula 1 at the age of 18.

Although he has limited experience in Supercars iRacing, he is excited to take on the Supercars stars.

“I’m looking forward to the race. It’s going to be a challenge as it’s not a car I’ve driven a lot on the sim, but they are pretty cool to watch in real life,” Verstappen said. “We always race with Supercars in Melbourne so it’s going to be interesting to see how I get on against all the regular drivers.

“I’ve tried the Supercar now a few times on iRacing and it’s a very tricky car to get right. I’m looking forward to racing alongside my mate Shane, or Pastor, as I call him – he’s a top shunter on the sim! (laughs) We race online a lot together so hopefully we can do well for Red Bull and it should be a bit of fun racing against the other V8 drivers as well.”

Verstappen competes on a regular basis against Supercars noted sim racers including Shane van Gisbergen, who is eager to race doo-to-door with the Formula 1 ace in familiar machinery.

“It’s awesome that a driver of Max’s calibre will be on the grid to take us on in a Red Bull Supercar,” van Gisbergen said.

“He’s fast and he knows these tracks well, so I expect to see him at the front.

“He’s put in plenty of hours in a Supercar online. Just like he races in an F1, he’s aggressive and won’t back down against anyone, so it will be great to have him on the grid this week.”

Verstappen has experience in a Red Bull Holden. In 2019, seven-time Supercars Champion Jamie Whincup drove him around Albert Park in an exhibition lap at the Australian Grand Prix.

Another driver will make his debut in the e-Series, with Will Brown replacing David Reynolds at Erebus Motorsport.

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