Verstappen still open to Le Mans assault, but Dad says 'no'
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Max Verstappen has long flirted with the idea of taking on the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race, but choosing the right teammate is a crucial factor for the Dutchman.
While his father Jos Verstappen has officially bowed out of the dream, the four-tile F1 World Champion is still determined to make it happen – potentially alongside Fernando Alonso, a two-time Le Mans winner in his own right.
Should the two F1 legends unite, the question remain: who would complete the trio?
Jos Bows Out – A New Plan for Max and Alonso
Despite conquering Formula 1 with four consecutive titles, Verstappen has frequently expressed his desire to explore other disciplines of motorsport.
Le Mans, the crown jewel of endurance racing, remains high on his bucket list, and he had originally envisioned taking on the grueling 24-hour race with two-time Le Mans winner Alonso and his father, Jos.
However, Verstappen Sr, 52, has officially taken himself out of the equation, leaving Max and Alonso to seek a new third driver.
"It's in the back of our minds. We know that we want to do it," Verstappen told the Mirror.
"[My father] is still very good at it [but] he doesn't want to. He just doesn't want to do it anymore. It's fine, let's see what happens. A lot of things can happen."
Picking the Right Teammate – The Weight Factor
With endurance racing requiring a seamless blend of speed, consistency, and team chemistry, finding the right third driver will be crucial. Verstappen acknowledges that selecting a teammate isn't just about skill – it's also about size.
"The only thing is, for Le Mans, there's no minimum weight for the driver," he explained. "I'm quite a heavy competitor, so I would have to find light teammates to compensate.
"Fernando is quite light, so that would be very good for us, but we would need to find another one."
While Verstappen has plenty of talented friends in racing, narrowing it down to a single choice will be no easy task.
"There are many great drivers that you can pick from [instead]," he said. "I have a lot of friends also who race, so it will be hard to pick one."
Enter Mr. Le Mans: Kristensen Offers His Expertise
Nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen – arguably the most successful driver in the history of the event – has chimed in on the discussion.
The endurance racing legend believes that whoever joins Verstappen and Alonso needs to be the perfect balance of experience and composure.
"If you have Max and Alonso in the car, the third driver needs to be calm, and definitely one I would take and choose from sportscars," Kristensen shared on the RacingNews365 podcast.
While he didn't name any specific candidates, he did offer his services in helping the duo find the perfect fit.
"There are a lot to choose from, I will not name anyone now, but if they ask me, I will have a few [names]," he said.
Of course, Kristensen couldn't resist joking about the possibility of joining them himself: "I mean, I might even put myself!"
A Future Le Mans Assault in the Making?
For now, Verstappen remains firmly focused on his F1 career with Red Bull, but his passion for endurance racing is undeniable.
With Alonso already a two-time Le Mans winner, the duo would form a formidable pairing, and with the right third driver, they could become serious contenders for victory.
Whether it happens sooner or later, one thing is clear: when Verstappen does finally take on Le Mans, the motorsport world will be watching. And with Kristensen ready to lend his expertise, perhaps the dream team will come together sooner than we think.
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