Max Verstappen and the Ford Mustang GTD: A Clash of Champions

In May 2025, Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen took the wheel of the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD at Circuit du Sambuc in southern France. The result was a rare and revealing encounter between one of the world’s most dominant racing drivers and one of Ford’s most ambitious performance vehicles to date.

The Driver: Max Verstappen

Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 World Champion, is renowned for his adaptability, aggressiveness, and exceptional racecraft. Unlike many drivers who rely on data and analysis to learn a circuit, Verstappen relies on feel and instinct. He attacks tracks methodically—corner by corner—probing for grip, testing braking points, and identifying apex behavior by pushing the limits immediately.

This aggressive style, typically honed in the realm of open-wheel racing, translates with surprising precision into high-performance GT cars. Verstappen’s experience in endurance racing and sim racing only enhances his ability to adapt to various platforms—making him the ideal candidate to assess a car like the Mustang GTD.

The Car: 2025 Ford Mustang GTD

The Mustang GTD is not a traditional muscle car—it’s Ford’s answer to GT3 performance in a road-legal package. Designed with direct influence from Ford’s Mustang GT3 race program, the GTD is engineered to deliver track-dominating capabilities while still being street-legal.

Key Specs:

• Engine: Supercharged 5.2-liter V8 (Predator)
• Power: ~815 horsepower
• Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch transaxle
• Brakes: Carbon-ceramic
• Suspension: Semi-active with adaptive dampers
• Aero: Active aerodynamic elements, including a hydraulically controlled rear wing
• Tires: Massive Michelin performance tires on lightweight wheels

Ford developed the GTD to target Nürburgring lap times under 7 minutes, and early testing suggests it’s well on its way—placing it among the fastest production cars ever to lap the iconic circuit.

The Drive: Circuit du Sambuc

At the private test session in the south of France, Verstappen was joined by automotive journalist Chris Harris for a demonstration of the GTD’s capabilities. The narrow, technical layout of Circuit du Sambuc provided the perfect environment to evaluate mechanical grip, cornering balance, and braking performance.

Verstappen quickly brought the GTD up to pace, taking full advantage of its advanced aerodynamics and wide mechanical footprint. Despite the circuit’s rough surface, the GTD’s suspension system handled curbing and bumps with ease. The car’s braking stability and tire grip allowed Verstappen to push harder each lap, finding the car’s limits with controlled aggression.

Observers noted how Verstappen used the GTD much like a GT3 car, extracting the maximum performance through weight transfer, precise throttle modulation, and trail braking. The vehicle’s feedback loop appeared to match his input style well—highlighting its suitability for serious drivers with racing pedigree.

Driver Feedback and Impressions

Verstappen appeared impressed by the GTD’s performance envelope. While he didn’t explicitly rank the vehicle, his driving behavior and expressions during the session indicated genuine respect for the platform.

Some notable observations: 

• The GTD’s mechanical grip was described as “endless,” even under aggressive cornering. 
• The braking system offered consistent feel and fade resistance despite repeated hard stops. 
• The suspension and chassis tuning allowed high-speed transitions and curb attacks without unsettling the car. 
• Verstappen’s feedback suggested that the GTD behaves much like a proper GT3 car—rare for a road-legal vehicle. 

Conclusion: A Fitting Match

The Mustang GTD is a landmark vehicle for Ford—merging American muscle with European-style racing dynamics. Its partnership with Max Verstappen for this test drive served as both a validation of its capabilities and a demonstration of its potential in the hands of an elite driver. 

The event underscores a growing trend in high-performance automotive engineering: bridging the gap between race-bred technology and road accessibility. With Verstappen behind the wheel, the Mustang GTD proved that it’s not just powerful—it’s precise, composed, and capable of delivering a truly world-class driving experience.