Verstappen’s mysterious GT reserve driver could be none other than himself

Verstappen is an absolute master at it: saying something, yet saying nothing. This Thursday in Monza offered a perfect example, when the Dutchman was asked about plans already revealed by GPblog for him to compete in a GT race in Portugal.

Asked whether he would race in Portimão and whether it’s true that Alex Palou is one of the other drivers, Verstappen replied“No,” having undoubtedly anticipated the question. "There's a conflict in the calendar with WEC, so I lose two of my drivers on the GT side. So at the moment we're still looking on who will be best to replace them basically. Luckily, the reserve driver that they have in the team could step in potentially. So we'll see."

It was a quote that raised more questions than answers. Because which part of the question was the “no” answering? And even more intriguing is how Verstappen says that "luckily" his team has a reserve driver who “step in potentially." The “we’ll see” is a signal that it could still go either way.

GPblog has tried to find out who that mysterious reserve driver might be. But from Verstappen’s camp, there has been deafening silence in response. In GT racing, it appears to be common practice that there is no designated reserve driver; if someone can’t make it, a driver is simply sourced from somewhere. It is therefore highly plausible that Max Verstappen himself is that reserve driver, the person who “could” take part.

If it turns out at some point that Max Verstappen will compete in the race in Portimão, the Dutchman can say he never lied about it. Just as the four-time world champion wouldn’t have told the truth if he doesn’t step in near the Portuguese city.

That’s years of experience dealing with the media and, likely, good preparation for predictable journalists. Verstappen navigates it with ease. It will be interesting to see how he handles follow-up questions this Saturday, when he has his usual session with the Dutch media (including GPblog).

Given his greater openness among compatriots, he might very well shed a bit more light on a forthcoming new adventure in the Mercedes GT.