The Rolex 24 at Daytona is more than just another endurance race. It’s a spectacle where motorsport giants converge, pushing their limits in the pursuit of glory. This year the three-time Supercars champion and emerging NASCAR star Shane van Gisbergen will participate in the event. The Kiwi Superstar is set to take on the GTD Pro class in the No. 91 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3R. He will be teaming up with fellow Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin, NASCAR rookie Connor Zilisch, and veteran Ben Keating. Despite such a great team, the Trackhouse Racing driver has sent a lucrative Daytona offer to Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen.

Ahead of the prestigious Rolex 24 race at Daytona International Speedway, SVG, along with other team members, was a part of the press conference. When asked about which driver they’d like to see at the Rolex 24, Van Gisbergen and his teammate Ben Keating didn’t hesitate to name Max Verstappen.

“I’d love to see Max Verstappen come out here and play around with us,” Keating shared. Gisbergen echoed the sentiment enthusiastically, saying, “I feel the same. I was just messaging him [Max] about it before. I think he’d be good here.” This isn’t an offhand remark. Verstappen has long expressed an interest in endurance racing.

Despite his Formula 1 commitments, the four-time Formula 1 champion has hinted at exploring events like Daytona and Le Mans in the future. Speaking to the media in November 2024, Verstappen shared his desire to compete in endurance classics. “I want to go there and try to win it, be really competitive,” he said.

However, Max Verstappen admitted the current F1 calendar makes it nearly impossible to prepare adequately. “With such a busy F1 schedule, it’s almost impossible because we finish so late in the season, and then to properly prepare where you have to run Daytona or whatever, is pretty impossible… But who knows? Maybe in a few years. I’ll still be young-ish and I’ll be able to drive the cars,” the 27-year-old added. Notably, Formula 1 has the longest calendar in motorsports world. Formula 1, with only 24 races compared to NASCAR’s 36, finishes nearly a month later than the American spectacle.

Verstappen’s growing interest in endurance racing aligns perfectly with Van Gisbergen’s bold invitation. The Dutchman’s recent experience behind the wheel of an Acura ARX-06 was at Honda’s ‘Hybrid Heroes’ event in Las Vegas. Under the guidance of IMSA driver Colin Braun, Verstappen showcased his adaptability by navigating 1.3 miles of track.

Meanwhile, for Gisbergen, the Rolex 24 isn’t just another race. It’s his favorite among endurance events, ranking higher than Spa, Le Mans, and even the iconic Bathurst 1000. This year marks his sixth entry at Daytona, where he has previously come close to victory. In 2015, he secured a podium finish in the GTD class, and his last appearance in 2020 saw him team up with NASCAR champion Kyle Busch.

Red Bull joins SVG in NASCAR

Shane Van Gisbergen’s Daytona aspirations coincide with a major development in his NASCAR career. In his rookie season with the Trackhouse Racing, SVG will partner with Red Bull. After a 14-year absence, the energy drink giant is back, sponsoring SVG’s #88 Trackhouse Racing Camaro for five races in the 2025 season.

The partnership between Van Gisbergen and Red Bull is steeped in success. Since joining Triple Eight in 2016, SVG has secured three Supercars championships (2016, 2021, and 2022) and multiple Bathurst 1000 victories. Now, Red Bull’s iconic colors will adorn his Camaro at marquee NASCAR events, including Las Vegas, Sonoma, and the second Daytona race.

Gisbergen is excited about this renewed collaboration. “I’ve enjoyed a lot of new experiences since coming to NASCAR, but it’s nice to be joined by Red Bull, who has been a big supporter of mine back home,” he said. With Red Bull backing him, the SVG aims to continue his winning streak and repay their faith with victories.

Notably, this move isn’t just significant for Gisbergen. It signals Red Bull’s broader ambitions in NASCAR. Alongside SVG, Trackhouse Racing’s rising star Connor Zilisch will also sport Red Bull colors in select races. At just 18 years old, Zilisch represents the next generation of NASCAR talent, and Red Bull’s involvement ensures increased visibility for both the team and the sport.