Shane van Gisbergen captured a notable victory at the 2025 NASCAR Mexico race thanks in part to valuable advice from Max Verstappen. This occurred at the rain-affected Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, where wet track conditions made the race especially challenging. Verstappen’s insight, drawn from his extensive experience racing in Mexico’s rain during his Formula 1 career, provided van Gisbergen with key tips that helped him navigate the slippery course and ultimately secure the win.
The collaboration between the two drivers exemplified how Verstappen’s knowledge of the Mexico City Grand Prix track, combined with van Gisbergen’s exceptional driving skills, played a crucial role in the outcome of the rain-soaked Viva Mexico 250.
Inside the Conversation Between Shane van Gisbergen and Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen’s dominance at the Mexico City Grand Prix spans several years, with victories dating back to 2017 and a streak from 2021 to 2023, making him an unofficial expert on the circuit’s conditions. On race day, van Gisbergen faced a uniquely treacherous wet track that felt icier than usual due to the unusual grip patterns.
In a post-race interview, van Gisbergen described how he sought Verstappen’s advice before the race. He explained,
“I just look for every advantage I can. I know he’s raced here in the rain, and he’s a friend of mine, and I walked out onto pit road this morning, and it was amazing how slick it was. Normally, on a wet circuit, the tarmac has grip, and the white lines are slipperier. It was the opposite. It was like ice; how slippery it was out there. I just reached out to him, was the grip on line, off line, what kind of techniques did he use?”
—Shane van Gisbergen
Despite Verstappen competing in Canada at the time and only offering brief advice, the communication proved invaluable. Van Gisbergen managed to lead 59 of the 100 laps and clinched victory by over 16 seconds, marking the widest winning margin on a NASCAR Cup road course in 45 years, while also securing a playoff spot and cementing his Rookie of the Year candidacy.
Van Gisbergen’s Acknowledgment of Verstappen’s Impact
About a month after the race, van Gisbergen spoke candidly about seeking Verstappen’s insight on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast. When pressed on how the exchange came to be, van Gisbergen recalled,
“Mexico. Yeah. Yeah. I just texted him a little bit in the morning. He was racing in Canada that day. I just tried to get any help I could. You know, he’d raced there or practiced there in the wet, so he had some small advice. Nothing too much, but it helps.”
—Shane van Gisbergen
This behind-the-scenes moment highlighted how a subtle nudge from Verstappen, a fellow Red Bull athlete, gave van Gisbergen the edge needed in uncertain and slick conditions that many drivers find daunting in NASCAR’s rain-affected races.
What Makes Rain Racing in NASCAR So Unpredictable
Wet weather races in NASCAR dramatically reshape the dynamics of competition. Pit stop strategies become less predictable, tire selections turn into critical gambles, and the ever-changing grip levels on the track test driver adaptability. Puddles collect quickly on the racing surface, painted lines become dangerously slick, and visibility drops due to limited rain-specific equipment on NASCAR vehicles.
Van Gisbergen, a driver with a strong road course and supercar racing pedigree, was able to capitalize on these factors. His experience managing traction and making rapid course corrections during wet conditions gave him a competitive advantage over many of his oval-focused competitors, who typically rely on raw speed more than finesse.
Van Gisbergen’s Partnership with Red Bull and Its Significance
The 2025 season marked not only van Gisbergen’s arrival in NASCAR but also the return of Red Bull as a NASCAR sponsor after a long hiatus since 2011. Van Gisbergen, a three-time supercars champion driving for Red Bull in Australia since 2016, officially joined the brand’s athlete roster in January 2025 as part of Trackhouse Racing.
Reflecting on this transition, van Gisbergen said,
“Being part of Trackhouse was a big appeal to them, but also me getting outside of my comfort zone. Red Bull’s all about pushing limits… having a pretty cool story to tell… winning some races but also experiencing some pretty cool things as well is—yeah, hopefully we can do some cool stuff.”
—Shane van Gisbergen
This partnership underscores how van Gisbergen has embraced the challenges of racing in America while expanding Red Bull’s influence in NASCAR through a fresh and compelling narrative centered on pushing boundaries.
Van Gisbergen’s Experience Navigating NASCAR Culture in His First Full Season
As van Gisbergen continues his rookie campaign, he has already recorded two wins in three road course starts. However, he remains focused on mastering NASCAR’s oval tracks, which present a different set of challenges for the New Zealander.
After his victory at Chicago’s Grant Park 165, he noted,
“These (road) races are like a holiday to me; it’s the ovals where I’m really focused on getting better and better.”
—Shane van Gisbergen
Despite a rough start on oval circuits, with finishes mostly in the 30s, van Gisbergen has shown steady progress, achieving a personal best 18th place in the prestigious Coca-Cola 600. Beyond performance, he has embraced the rich culture of NASCAR, finding the atmosphere and fan enthusiasm deeply unique and enjoyable.
On Kevin Harvick’s podcast, van Gisbergen praised the pre-race festivities at Talladega, explaining,
“My favorite pre-race is Talladega. You know how emotional everyone is, and the anthem’s pumping. And then this truck just comes roaring through with the big flag on. It’s epic.”
—Shane van Gisbergen
Reflections on NASCAR Tracks and Fan Diversity
Van Gisbergen also shared his impressions of certain tracks, highlighting the quirks that surprised him. He described Dover as “probably the weirdest place,” remarking it felt isolated,
“just in the middle of a random place.”
Richmond struck a similar chord, where he observed,
“It’s like that as well. You’re just driving through a neighborhood, and then all of a sudden, there’s a track just there.”
—Shane van Gisbergen
What stands out most to van Gisbergen is the diversity of the NASCAR fanbase. He stated,
“But I find the people are cool everywhere you go. For, like, if you’re racing in Australia or New Zealand, the people are the same. When you go around in America, there’s so many different cultures of people and the way they speak is so different. And everyone seems so happy to be at the track. It’s pretty cool.”
—Shane van Gisbergen
The openness and variety in NASCAR’s audiences have left a strong impression on the Kiwi rookie, enriching his racing experience beyond competition alone.
Looking Ahead to the Remaining 2025 NASCAR Season
Currently ranked fifth in playoff points with ten races remaining, Shane van Gisbergen is well positioned to continue his momentum into the critical stretch of the season. Upcoming races at road courses like Sonoma and Watkins Glen represent additional opportunities for van Gisbergen to exploit his strengths.
While he stays cautious about making bold forecasts, his trajectory suggests the possibility of adding more wins before the playoffs conclude. Van Gisbergen’s combination of skill, determination, and valuable guidance from Max Verstappen have already helped him establish a prominent presence in NASCAR’s elite series.
With his rookie season unfolding so promisingly, questions linger among fans and analysts alike about how many more victories the Kiwi driver will add to his growing list this year.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What gender is Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Max Verstappen and his partner, Kelly Piquet, are celebrating the birth of their first child. They have announced that the baby is a girl.
Q. What is the gender of Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Verstappen and Piquet have shared the news of their baby daughter’s arrival, naming her Lily. They first broke the news about expecting Lily before the last race of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi. Lily now joins the family as a younger sister to Piquet’s other daughter, Penelope.
Q. Is Penelope not Max Verstappen’s daughter?
A. “She’s incredible.” In 2025, Penelope took on the role of an older sister when Kelly Piquet and Max Verstappen had their first child, Lily. Penelope’s interests and her close relationship with Max Verstappen are important parts of her life. This is a brief introduction to Kelly Piquet’s daughter, Penelope.
