Max Verstappen‘s likelihood of switching to the German touring car championship Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) remains uncertain, according to insider Thierry Vermeulen. The reigning Formula 1 champion continues to concentrate on his F1 career, but occasional ventures into GT racing have sparked speculation about a future DTM move. Vermeulen, closely connected to Verstappen through his father Raymond Vermeulen, who manages the Dutch star, shared his perspective on these rumors.
At 22 years old, Thierry Vermeulen currently competes in DTM with Emil Frey Racing and has observed Verstappen’s increasing appearances in GT racing events, driving a car from Verstappen.com Racing during the 2025 F1 season. Despite these frequent outings away from Formula 1, Thierry expressed doubts about a permanent switch for Verstappen anytime soon.
Vermeulen’s View on Verstappen’s Racing Priorities
When asked by German outlet Motorsport-Total about the possibility of Verstappen joining the DTM grid, Vermeulen replied cautiously. He emphasized that Verstappen has not yet considered fully committing to a different racing championship or series.
He is not yet at the stage where he is looking closely at championships or races. And I think he also enjoys the endurance races.
—Thierry Vermeulen
The two share a longtime friendship, and Thierry also noted that Verstappen’s primary focus remains successfully defending and furthering his F1 career. Nonetheless, he acknowledged the young driver’s openness to exploring other racing disciplines in the future:
but who knows? He’s still very young.
—Thierry Vermeulen
Verstappen’s Recent Activity Outside Formula 1
Last month, Verstappen competed on the demanding Nordschleife circuit under the alias Franz Hermann, showcasing his enduring passion for varied motorsport challenges. This stint demonstrated his enthusiasm for racing beyond Formula 1, yet it remains complementary to his commitments with Red Bull Racing.
Verstappen continues to participate in private test sessions during the 2025 season, which Red Bull team principal Christian Horner supports, provided these activities do not interfere with grand prix schedules. The Dutchman is widely expected to pursue a fifth consecutive F1 World Championship, which currently dominates his professional agenda.
Despite uncertainties about his long-term plans in Formula 1, Verstappen’s engagement in other motorsport categories does not indicate an imminent departure but rather a broad passion for racing.
What This Means for Verstappen’s Future in Motorsport
While fans and insiders often speculate about Verstappen transitioning to DTM or other GT championships, the four-time world champion seems firmly entrenched in Formula 1 for now. His occasional outings in GT cars may serve as creative outlets and preparation for a post-F1 career, but no immediate change in his primary racing series has been confirmed.
The young driver’s multifaceted involvement across motorsport formats keeps his future open. Whether he will eventually switch to DTM or another racing discipline remains to be seen, but Verstappen’s commitment to maintaining his peak performance in Formula 1 suggests his immediate plans remain focused on defending his crown with Red Bull.
