Ahead of the June 15 NASCAR Cup Series event at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Shane van Gisbergen sought guidance from Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula One champion. Van Gisbergen lacked experience on the circuit, while Verstappen had previously raced and practiced there, giving him valuable insight.
Van Gisbergen shared with FOX Sports analyst Kevin Harvick,
“I just texted him a little bit on the morning. He was racing in Canada that day — just trying to get any help I could,”
and added,
“He raced there or practiced there in the wet — had some small advice, not too much, but it helps.”
The New Zealander emphasized the unusual wet conditions he faced on race day.
He described the slickness of the track as uniquely challenging, saying,
“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. And, yeah, he didn’t say too much, but it’s always good to get a little leg up, you know.”
Van Gisbergen’s Dominant Performance in Mexico City
Whether directly influenced by Verstappen’s advice or not, Shane van Gisbergen delivered a commanding victory at the Mexico City race, leading 60 of 100 laps. He secured his second career Cup win with a commanding 16.567-second lead over the competition, further establishing his prowess on road courses.
This victory highlighted van Gisbergen’s rapid ascent in NASCAR, demonstrating his skill, especially on challenging road and street courses.
Van Gisbergen’s Rising NASCAR Career and Strength on Road Courses
Van Gisbergen continued to excel on road courses, recently dominating the Chicago Street Race, where he won from pole position. With three Cup wins in only 33 starts, he has become the fastest driver to reach this milestone since Jimmie Johnson in 2002. This rapid success underscores his natural talent in road and street racing formats.
Despite his accomplishments, van Gisbergen acknowledged areas where he still needs improvement, specifically on oval tracks. 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,”
also adding,
“I come here and there’s no stress.”
Implications for Van Gisbergen’s Future in NASCAR
Shane van Gisbergen’s ability to quickly adapt and seek advice from experienced drivers like Max Verstappen demonstrates a strategic approach to learning in NASCAR. His growing success on road courses signals potential for a strong career, while his ongoing focus on improving oval racing skills suggests he aims to become a well-rounded competitor in the Cup Series.
His Mexico City win stands as a significant milestone, showing that collaboration across racing disciplines and leveraging expert knowledge can yield impressive results in high-pressure situations.
