Connor Zilisch meets Max Verstappen in Texas, thanks to the efforts of Shane van Gisbergen following a Red Bull video shoot, bringing together rising NASCAR talent and a four-time Formula 1 champion. The special dinner, arranged after a day of filming with Red Bull F1 drivers, gave Zilisch the chance to interact directly with the celebrated Dutchman and several key names from the motorsport world.
Max Verstappen’s dominance in Formula 1 has earned him worldwide recognition, yet his racing achievements extend far beyond F1. Recently, Verstappen stepped into the GT3 racing world, impressively winning on his debut at the demanding Nurburgring Nordschleife. His foray into new racing categories has been inspired in part by his loyal following of sim racing, a platform where drivers like Shane van Gisbergen honed both their skills and lasting relationships.
This virtual connection began during the COVID-19 pandemic when, unable to race in person, Verstappen and van Gisbergen became teammates in online iRacing competitions. Their friendship, built in the digital landscape, seamlessly transitioned into real life, setting the stage for new associations when the F1 United States Grand Prix took place in Texas last year.
With the Red Bull video shoot wrapping up in Texas and Shane van Gisbergen already planning to meet Verstappen, he saw an opportunity to introduce Zilisch, another promising driver nurtured within Red Bull’s talent program. What followed was a unique dinner that included current Red Bull F1 drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson alongside Verstappen and van Gisbergen. Zilisch recounted the memorable moment on the Kenny Conversation podcast, sharing:
“I went to dinner with him about a year ago in Texas. I went down there to film a video with SVG and the other two Red Bull F1 drivers. At the time it was Yuki [Tsunoda] and Liam [Lawson], and I filmed a video with them.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Zilisch expanded on the event, highlighting van Gisbergen’s role and their discovery of mutual respect through their online partnerships:
“Shane is actually pretty good friends with Max, because during COVID, when everyone was on iRacing and on simulators messing around when they couldn’t race in real life, SVG and Max were teammates on iRacing. So, they became close friends and and I was down there filming with SVG and he invited me to dinner with him and Max, and I got to meet Max and talk to him and get to know him better.”
(4:30 onwards) — Connor Zilisch, Driver
Zilisch Hopes for Verstappen’s Future NASCAR Ambitions
While Verstappen’s career has showcased remarkable car control and versatility—most recently with his GT3 win in Germany’s Nurburgring endurance race—the NASCAR world remains unfamiliar territory for him. Connor Zilisch, buoyed by their Texas dinner and inspired by Verstappen’s achievements, openly hopes to see the F1 champion bring his elite racing skills to stock car events or sports car disciplines in the future.
“It’s been fun to watch his F1 career and and hopefully one day he’ll get over here and get the chance to race either some stock cars or sports cars or something.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Their meeting highlighted just how diverse the journeys to the top tiers of motorsport can be. While Zilisch’s rapid climb through the junior ranks differs from Verstappen’s path, both drivers share the aspiration to compete against the world’s best across various racing forms.
The Road Ahead for Both Drivers
As Connor Zilisch prepares for a big move to full-time Cup Series racing with Trackhouse Racing, where he is set to replace Daniel Suarez beginning in 2026, his experience alongside Max Verstappen fuels both ambition and respect. Their Texas encounter stands as a testament to the increasingly global and interconnected world of modern motorsport, where nationalities, disciplines, and generations inspire and learn from each other.
Their meeting underscores how racing connections formed in both digital and real worlds can pave the way for new opportunities, helping future stars like Zilisch gain insight from established icons like Verstappen. As Verstappen continues to broaden his racing horizons, speculation grows among fans and fellow drivers alike about the potential for future appearances in new racing series, including NASCAR or additional endurance events.
Whether or not Verstappen eventually races in NASCAR, his shared moments with the next generation, forged with the help of Shane van Gisbergen, serve as a vibrant symbol of motorsport’s enduring camaraderie and cross-disciplinary possibilities—a development sure to excite enthusiasts watching the continued evolution of names like Connor Zilisch and Max Verstappen.
