“Never felt so nervous,” Max Verstappen reveals he was ‘screaming’ while watching Shane van Gisbergen win the NASCAR Chicago Cup race
Max Verstappen was impressed by the three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen.
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Max Verstappen and Shane van Gisbergen (Credits: Daily Telegraph)
The V8 Supercars legend Shane van Gisbergen made history on his NASCAR debut. He won the sport’s first-ever Chicago Street Race after a second-row start. It was a 75-lap event that evolved from wet to dry conditions. In the last five laps of the race, Van Gisbergen overtook for the win and held onto his position claiming the inaugural Chicago Street race victory on his NASCAR debut. He had many people rooting for him, and Formula 1 reigning champion Max Verstappen was one among them.
The Dutchman revealed he was nervous watching Shane van Gisbergen fight for the Grant Park 220 win at the Chicago Street Course. Van Gisbergen drove the No.91 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing and became the first driver since IndyCar’s Johnny Rutherford in 1963 to win a NASCAR Cup race on his debut. It was not only the NASCAR world that was impressed by Van Gisbergen’s performance but also F1 driver Max Verstappen.
Verstappen spoke about watching the NASCAR Chicago Cup race during media day in Silverstone. He stated, “I stayed awake to watch it. And I’ve never felt so nervous in my life watching someone else race and trying to win it. So yeah, I was literally screaming in front of my monitor for him to win that.” The 25-year-old got his wish as Van Gisbergen, his fellow Red Bull driver, won his first-ever NASCAR race on his debut.
Max Verstappen labels Shane van Gisbergen as a great driver
Verstappen added, “I mean that is impressive to jump in the car, and you don’t know, they are very hard cars to drive. And he just goes in there, and he absolutely dominates the race. So yeah, I know he’s a great driver. I know what he’s capable of.” The Red Bull champion praised Van Gisbergen and said he is skilled in V8s, rally cars, and NASCAR.
Verstappen claims Shane van Gisbergen is a crazy right-foot braker still. The Dutchman was impressed by what he had witnessed clearly and contacted Van Gisbergen after the race to congratulate him. In Silverstone, Verstappen was also asked if he would try NASCAR. However, the Red Bull champion said it was not his style and will remain a spectator.
Max Verstappen revealed he liked watching NASCAR and thinks it cool. He was happy for Shane Van Gisbergen, but that’s all there is. He joked by saying he would go there to have a beer and enjoy the show. It does not look like Verstappen is interested in stock car racing for now. However, things change, and only time will tell.
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Sugantha Meena
(493 Articles Published)