Sébastien Ogier publicly invited four‑time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen to take a wheel of a World Rally Championship car before the upcoming Rally Japan.
Invitation follows a shared stint at the Nürburgring 24‑Hour race
After watching Verstappen battle for a podium alongside Winward‑Mercedes teammates Dani Juncadealla, Lucas Auer and Jules Gounon, the nine‑time rally champion took to social media to praise the Red Bull driver’s pace. In the same post, Ogier suggested that Verstappen try rallying, noting his father Jos Verstappen already runs a program in the Belgian Rally Championship. Verstappen replied with a cheeky “you as teacher?” comment.
Verstappen’s limited rally background and his safety concerns
Last season the Dutch star drove Ogier’s 2018 title‑winning M‑Sport Ford Fiesta on a circuit for a Ford promotional video, but he has repeatedly stressed that competitive rallying feels too risky. During a February interview on the Up to Speed podcast, he explained that the fixed nature of trees and other hazards makes him hesitate to test the limits of a true rally stage. Nonetheless, he acknowledged his respect for the discipline.
Ogier eyes redemption at Rally Japan while keeping a door open for Verstappen
With his focus now on reclaiming victory after a puncture ended his lead in Portugal, Ogier entered Thursday’s shakedown in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 at the Japanese round on a high note. He reiterated that his invitation to Verstappen remains genuine, insisting that a true rally environment—not a circuit—would be the proper setting for the F1 star to experience the car’s capabilities. Should Verstappen ever decide to accept, the French champion would welcome him for a full‑flight test.
As the WRC fleet rolls into Japan, Ogier’s determination to convert a strong shakedown into a win adds extra intrigue to a weekend already flavored by his cross‑disciplinary challenge to Verstappen.
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