After securing three titles in Formula 1, Max Verstappen has been eyeing other major racing classes for some time. Endurance racing, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the top of the list, has caught the Dutch driver’s attention. During a press conference in Monaco, Verstappen was asked about his Le Mans ambitions. He won’t be starting this year, but his participation may come sooner than expected.
According to Max Verstappen, he found the atmosphere of Le Mans ‘amazing’ as a child. His father, Jos, once participated in the endurance race, allowing a young Max to get a taste of one of the world’s most iconic racing events. For him, the team element is particularly interesting. “You have to find a compromise with your teammates for the right setup,” he explained.
Verstappen does see some areas for improvement in Le Mans. The Red Bull driver questions the current balance of performance rules – fast teams are given extra kilos on board to limit the advantage. “That element could be better determined,” Verstappen believes. “Right now, it’s a bit of a gamble in my opinion.”
Participating with Tsunoda
Verstappen believes that long-distance racing should take a cue from Formula 1. In the premier class, the weight of the drivers is compensated with weights, a rule that is missing in the endurance championship. “They need to fix that first,” Verstappen stated firmly. “Ideally, I should have Yuki Tsunoda as a teammate to offset my weight a bit. You would really fly, Yuki,” he said with a laugh. Tsunoda, from Visa RB, was also present at the press conference.
Verstappen is certain that he will eventually participate in Le Mans. “I’ve already had several discussions,” he continued seriously. “It’s a great event.” The Dutchman does not rule out combining his Formula 1 commitments with long-distance racing. “It depends on the preparation,” he concluded. “If it can be combined, I think it should work.” Verstappen participated in a virtual 24-hour race on the Nürburgring during the race weekend in Imola.
