Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen is planning a move to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, confirmed by WEC expert Sebastien Buemi.
Still serving as a simulator driver for Red Bull, the Swiss driver regularly interacts with the four-time Formula 1 world champion, who has confirmed to him his intention to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Max Verstappen could be among the next Formula 1 drivers to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Dutchman has already expressed his admiration for the race and his desire to compete in the double round-the-clock event at Le Mans. It’s an ambition he recently reaffirmed to Sébastien Buemi.
After three seasons in F1 with Toro Rosso, notably alongside Frenchman Sébastien Bourdais, Buemi went on to become a Formula E world champion, a WEC world champion, and a four-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Toyota.
Drawing on his motorsport experience and technical knowledge, the Swiss driver has maintained his ties with the Red Bull family through his role as a simulator driver. As a result, he often discusses motorsport with Max Verstappen.
“The last time we saw each other, we talked about everything. He’s passionate and interested: he asks me questions about Formula E, we talk about WEC,” he told Dutch outlet RacingNews365. The four-time Formula 1 world champion has always voiced his desire to switch to Endurance once he feels his time is up in the top category.
“Le Mans is definitely something I want to do. The atmosphere in Endurance is incredible. There are so many people, the night driving, the sunrise… I think it’s really cool!” he said in 2023. “Fernando (Alonso) said he’d only do it again with me.”
Verstappen Embraces Endurance Racing
While several current Formula 1 drivers have shown interest in the world of Endurance, Max Verstappen is by far the most involved. Owner of a team competing in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, he recently took part in tests at the Nürburgring.
Driving on the Nordschleife under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann” barely a week after the birth of his daughter Lily, he made his ambitions clear: “I’d like to do this in the future. That’s why I’m doing all these things: to prepare a bit, gain experience. That way, I won’t have to do it later. It’s my passion. I want to gather information for myself.”
One of the topics discussed with Sébastien Buemi by “Franz Hermann” was the weight distribution among the three drivers in a WEC lineup. “It’s not easy. If you’re too heavy, it’s a problem. He wanted to be clear and informed about that before giving it a try,” the Swiss driver explained.
There’s no doubt Max Verstappen will one day take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The real question is how much time remains before that happens. According to Buemi, “Formula 1 is very demanding. Committing to Le Mans takes a lot of effort, but it’s only a matter of time before he takes part.”
Verstappen Granted Platinum Status
As a reminder, ahead of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen submitted a request to the FIA to obtain Platinum driver status, the highest classification level granted by the organization. The application was approved in less than a week. With the green light to enter Le Mans secured, could the Dutchman be preparing to dominate another category of motorsport?
