Max Verstappen (Formula One)#

If you’re talking about future legends, it’s impossible to avoid this guy. Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver with (as of writing) four Formula One titles and is still at his peak. Even when Red Bull isn’t the fastest car on the grid compared to McLaren, Max still finds ways to get poles and wins.

What really interests me, though, is his future outside F1. Just a few days ago, Verstappen raced in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) as part of his path to securing an A-Permit. He drove a detuned GT4, completed a two-hour stint of 14 laps around the Nordschleife, and got the permit. Now, he’s rumored to step into GT3 this month to fight for overall wins.

What is NLS?

A German endurance racing series held at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, one of the hardest tracks in the world. It consists of multiple classes with many different manufacturers. For one to compete here, they have to undergo tests regardless of their racing skills and reputations.

Max has always liked endurance racing—he’s been active in sim racing with Team Redline for years. Seeing him on the Nordschleife feels like the first step toward his long-term plan: racing both in F1 and endurance.

The only things that might hold him back are performance risks in F1 or family considerations. But with modern safety levels, the old “forbidden to race in other series” rule feels outdated. If Red Bull gives him the green light, we may see Verstappen in endurance cars sooner rather than later.

Kevin Estre (Endurance Racing)#

Kevin Estre is Porsche’s key driver in endurance racing, running in WEC, the Nürburgring, and other series. He’s known for his aggressive and consistent driving style.

His highlight reel is wild. On the Nordschleife, he once went from P11 to P1 in about three laps—on the world’s most dangerous track. He’ll send it on damp asphalt, grass, or tight gaps where no one else dares. Sometimes that aggression backfires, costing him wins (like earlier this year), but more often it makes him one of the most entertaining drivers on track.

At Le Mans 2025, he clawed his way from dead last in the hypercar class to P3 in just over 90 minutes—overtaking through a massive field of 21 cars while handicapped by Balance of Performance (BoP).

Balance of Performance

Rules that adjust car performance (like adding weight or limiting power) to keep racing competitive.

He might not always win, but if you want exciting racing moments, Kevin Estre is a name to follow.

Sébastien Ogier (WRC)#

Sébastien Ogier, the French rally legend with eight WRC titles, is 41 years old and technically “semi-retired.” But this year, he decided to return full-time in the second half of the season—and for good reason.

Since 2021, Ogier’s been part-time, picking select rallies while focusing on family. But he always said: if he had a genuine shot at another championship, he’d come back. And that’s exactly what happened. Despite missing three rallies, Ogier is now leading the 2025 championship.

What’s incredible is how effortless he makes it look. The WRC field is super competitive this year, with wins being shared around. Yet Ogier is constantly on the podium, outperforming younger rivals in equal machinery. Rallying requires razor-sharp reflexes and precision under brutal conditions—and somehow, at 41, Ogier is still the benchmark.

Sébastien Dejavu

Fun fact, there are other Sébastien, called Sébastien Loeb whose a 9 times WRC champion. He retired from full-time racing about a decade ago. He definitely rivals Ogier’s speed, and on the same age, he did the same thing as Ogier: crushing the new generations..

I honestly think the 9th title is already in his hands, and a 10th isn’t out of the question. That would be nothing short of historic.

Marc Márquez (MotoGP)#

Marc Márquez needs no introduction. The Spaniard is a six-time MotoGP champion who dominated the 2010s. But from 2020 onward, injuries and a poor-performing Honda nearly derailed his career. He missed the entire 2020 season, struggled with crashes and pain in 2021–22, and found himself on an unrideable bike.

Then came the bold move: switching to a satellite Ducati in 2024. Many doubted him, saying the crashes had taken their toll. Instead, Márquez finished 3rd in the championship, behind Jorge Martín and Pecco Bagnaia—despite riding last year’s Ducati model.

That was enough for Ducati to sign him to the factory team for 2025. And so far? He’s been unstoppable. As of this writing, Márquez has won 11 of 15 races this season and is on the brink of clinching his seventh MotoGP title.

It’s one of the greatest redemption arcs in motorsport.

Veda Ega Pratama (Motorcycle Racing)#

Now, let’s talk about someone closer to home: Veda Ega Pratama, a 16-year-old Indonesian rider who’s rising fast through the ranks.

He first made headlines in the 2023 Asia Talent Cup, where he dominated—winning nine races and finishing with a 103-point lead over second place. In 2024, he stepped up to the Red Bull Rookies Cup, finishing 8th with a podium in his rookie year. This year, despite missing two races due to injury, he finished 2nd overall in the 2025 Rookies Cup. That performance has fueled strong rumors of a Moto3 seat with Honda Team Asia for 2026.

For Indonesian fans, this is huge. If he debuts at 17, he’ll have time to develop properly. The ladder is steep, but possible. For context: Pedro Acosta debuted in Moto3 at 16, won in his rookie season, and reached MotoGP by 19. Joan Mir debuted at 17, won Moto3 at 19, and became MotoGP champion in 2020.

But we also need to stay realistic. Many riders debut young and never reach MotoGP—Livio Loi, Juanfran Guevara, Efrén Vázquez, to name a few. Results, sponsorship, and a bit of luck all matter.

So yes, we should support Veda. But we should also be constructive when he makes mistakes. That’s how he’ll grow.

James Baldwin (Sim Racing)#

James Baldwin, 27, is best known as the World’s Fastest Gamer 2019 winner.

What is Simracing?

Competitive racing done on advanced simulators, often with professional-level equipment, and sometimes leading to real-world racing chances.

He started in karting and Formula Ford but had to stop due to money. Switching to sim racing, he found big success and eventually got a chance in real racing. In 2020, he joined Jenson Button’s Team Rocket RJN in the British GT Championship. He even won his first race at Oulton Park and ended the season fourth overall.

But like many talented drivers, money dried up. Since then, he’s had only a few real-world races like Spa 24 Hours in 2022 and 2024, while continuing in sim racing.

Baldwin is worth highlighting because he shows both the opportunities and the limits of motorsport. He’s skilled, adaptable, and has a great personality on stream. But without funding, talent alone isn’t enough.

Honestly, he might have all the ingredients of a great racing driver but just lack the backing to make his career. Fight’s still not over, though.