F1 star Verstappen congratulates champion-elect SVG

Formula 1 points leader Max Verstappen has congratulated 2021 Repco Supercars Championship champion-elect Shane van Gisbergen.

Van Gisbergen clinched the 2021 title with a round to spare in Sydney ahead of next month’s Repco Bathurst 1000.

Verstappen and van Gisbergen are both part of the Red Bull family, and regularly race each other online.

Verstappen calls van Gisbergen 'Pastor', a reference to ex-F1 driver Pastor Maldonado.

Verstappen is no stranger to Supercars; he was taken for a ride at Albert Park in 2017 by Jamie Whincup, and raced in the Supercars Eseries in 2020.

In a video message by Red Bull’s F1 team, Verstappen congratulates van Gisbergen and Red Bull Ampol Racing.

"Hi mate, I just wanted to of course congratulate you on your championship,” the 19-time Grand Prix winner says.

"I mean, you’ve absolutely been dominating this year, and it’s been great to see you doing so well, and you’re a great guy.

From one mate to another 🤝 Congrats Shane and @RedBullAmpol on the #RepcoSC title 👑 pic.twitter.com/vOpqWkhhGD

— Red Bull Racing Honda (@redbullracing) November 22, 2021

“You’re quick - in real life and on the simulator - you save fuel like no one else, so, your lovely right-foot braking.

"But, anyway mate, you really dominated it and I’m really happy for you and I hope you really enjoy it.

"Well done."

Verstappen is embroiled in a title battle of his own, the Dutchman leading seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton by eight points with two rounds remaining.

L-R: Whincup, Verstappen and van Gisbergen in 2017

The 24-year-old has won nine races in 2021 to Hamilton's seven heading to the inaugural Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship and Dunlop Series seasons will conclude at the Repco Bathurst 1000.

Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 506) and streamed on Kayo.

The Seven Network will provide live free to air coverage of the event. Tickets for the event are on sale now.