Is Max Verstappen testing rally cars secretly? Latest reports shock Formula 1 fans

In a recent revelation that has set the motorsport world abuzz, F1 analyst Peter Windsor has disclosed that an unnamed driver from the 2024 Formula 1 season has been engaging in secretive rally car tests. This disclosure has stirred up speculation, especially since the driver’s market is changing daily.

According to Windsor, the mystery F1 driver has been impressive during these clandestine rally tests. Windsor stated, “I know of one Formula 1 driver that has done some testing recently – not Max Verstappen – in massive secrecy. I would never betray that secrecy by telling you who it is, but he was good and did well.” This adds an intriguing layer to the driver market landscape, particularly with four F1 seats still unconfirmed for the 2025 season at Alpine and Audi/Sauber.

The news of an F1 driver exploring rallying is not entirely unprecedented. Many drivers have transitioned to or experimented with rallying once their grand prix careers have ended. A notable example is Kimi Raikkonen, who left Ferrari in 2009 to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC) from 2010 to 2011.

Raikkonen achieved a best finish of fifth in the 2010 Rally Turkey before returning to F1 with Lotus-Renault in 2012. Similarly, Robert Kubica, who had stints with BMW-Sauber and Renault, successfully transitioned to rallying. He clinched the WRC2 junior title in 2013 before dramatically returning to Formula 1 with Williams.

Is Valtteri Bottas trying rally cars?

The mystery driver’s identity remains under wraps, but speculation points towards former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, who has a known passion for rallying. Bottas competed in the Arctic Lapland Rally in January 2019, where he drove a Ford Fiesta WRC and secured a stage win and a fifth-place finish overall. With Bottas’s future in F1 uncertain and a pending deal for the 2025 season, his involvement in rally testing could hint at potential future endeavours.

This revelation has sparked significant interest in the Formula 1 driver market, particularly with the ongoing shuffle and negotiations for the upcoming seasons. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this development influences the career trajectory of the mysterious driver and the broader F1 landscape.