Sebastien Ogier Invites Max Verstappen To Rally Test Despite F1 Champion’s Safety Concerns

Nine-time WRC champion Sebastien Ogier has extended an open invitation to four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen for a rally car test.
Ogier sparked the conversation after posting a photo on Instagram alongside Max and Jos Verstappen, captioning it with: “What’s next Max? Maybe rally like your father?”
The post quickly generated significant attention, given Verstappen’s well-documented enthusiasm for competing across different motorsport disciplines.
Ogier later clarified the nature of his social media message, explaining that it started light-heartedly before becoming a genuine offer.
“It was kind of a joke you make on social media, but obviously he likes new experiences and things like this,” Ogier told Motorsport.com.
Ogier revealed that Verstappen had already driven his old Fiesta once before, though the conditions were far from ideal for the machine.
“He has driven my old Fiesta already once last year but it wasn’t in the best place, it was on a circuit,” Ogier said, adding that a proper setting would be far more suitable.
“I told him that if you really want to [drive it] you need to try it in a proper place because a circuit is not ideal for the car,” the rally champion continued.
Ogier made clear his door remains open, stating: “My answer was honest, I said if he wants to join for a test I would be happy to welcome him.”
Despite the invitation, Verstappen has previously expressed strong reservations about rally racing, citing the specific dangers that come with the sport.
Speaking on the Up to Speed podcast, Verstappen praised his father Jos, who is 53 years old and currently competing in the European Rally Championship against much younger drivers.
Verstappen admitted he finds rally deeply impressive but explained exactly where his personal limit lies when considering the risks involved.
“I think it’s really cool but I just think about if I make a mistake and I hit that tree, I mean the tree is not moving and that for me is like my limit,” Verstappen said.
“That for me is something that I don’t want to do,” Verstappen admitted, calling rally “a too high of a risk” compared to the barriers and impact absorption available in Formula 1.
Verstappen acknowledged his reasoning may seem contradictory given the dangers of F1, but maintained it was simply a risk he was unwilling to accept despite finding rally genuinely exciting to watch.
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