Max Verstappen ‘might appeal FIA decision’ as F1 star teases summer switch | F1 | Sport
Max Verstappen has joked that he might appeal his FIA driver rating after being granted the highest possible grade. The Red Bull star is one of only six current Formula One drivers to receive a platinum driver rating from the governing body.
F1 drivers tend to only apply for a driver rating when they want to compete in sports cars. Nico Hulkenberg did so to race in the World Endurance Championship, while Lando Norris and Lance Stroll received platinum ratings to race in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Reports suggest that Verstappen may be lining up a place in the KW 6h ADAC Ruhr-Pokal-Rennen on August 16. The event falls in the middle of F1’s summer break.
Speaking at the Barcelona Grand Prix, Verstappen said: “I applied because I have to do it at some point, so it’s better I get it out of the way. It’s super easy. It’s just a form you fill in, you pay, and a week later you have the answer.”
He then joked: “I was secretly hoping for a bronze rating. I might appeal the platinum, [and] get silver at least.”
Verstappen has long hinted at wanting to drive in sports cars. But it is unlikely that he will move away from F1 permanently any time soon. Wide-ranging reports claim that the four-time reigning champion is close to confirming that he will remain at Red Bull for the 2026 season, when sweeping regulation changes are introduced.
A fifth consecutive title seems unlikely at this stage. However, Verstappen insists he is still having fun, and he heads to Barcelona having won the last three races in Catalonia.
Verstappen said: “I just try to do my best, have a bit of fun out there. I’m more excited if I know that we’re going to be super quick. That’s the most exciting. I always try to do my best, but this year so far it had some real positives, but of course also some negatives. With some races we are really off the pace, which is not enjoyable.
“That also doesn’t mean that I’m enjoying it or loving it. I like it. Up until this point it’s not going to be remembered forever.
“It’s not that I don’t believe. I just rock up to the track and I do the best I can every single weekend. I don’t need to believe in it. Fully or not. I know that every time that I go out there, I do the best I can.
“If that’s with a car that is capable of P5, I will put it P5. If it’s capable of winning, I’ll win. Honestly, I just approach it very simple, which also doesn’t eat up a lot of energy as well, so I have a lot of free time outside of that.”
