Max Verstappen will not make his Le Mans debut in 2027 despite the Formula 1 calendar not clashing with the iconic 24 hour endurance event.
The last 12 months have seen Verstappen diversify his on track exploits and enter the fray of endurance racing.
Verstappen has been vocal about his love for GT and endurance events, and has taken his Verstappen Racing team to the Nürburgring Nordschleife on three occasions so far – winning on his NLS9 debut back in September, last year.
Naturally, the next step for the four-time F1 World Champion would be to grace the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
That said, despite the 2027 F1 calendar offering him a chance to enter the 95th edition of the endurance behemoth, the Red Bull driver has shut the doors on Le Mans, at least for next year.
“Nurburgring and Spa probably, Le Mans not,” he told media including Motorsport Week on media day ahead of the Azerbaijan GP.
“Yeah, that’s not on my list for now.”
Max Verstappen teases 2027 24Hours Nürburgring return after Le Mans snub
Verstappen’s last GT3 race at the Nürburgring was at the revered 24 Hour endurance race on the Nordschleife layout in May.
Mechanical gremlins meant an agonising defeat for the Dutchman, and his Verstappen Racing team-mates Jules Gounon, Lucas Auer and Daniel Juncadella.
But Verstappen has been very keen to come back stronger and for more.
For 2027, the 28-year-old is targeting a return to the Nordschleife including a possible stint at the 24 Hours of Spa.
“I said already of course after the race in the Nordschleife that I wanted to go back,” Verstappen added.
“So, if it allows me to prepare well and it all works out – well I know there is no clash – but if it starts to work out in my schedule, then I’ll do it.
“And Spa is an exciting option to do it.”
Heading into the race weekend at Baku, Verstappen currently sits sixth in the drivers’ standings – 147 points off championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
READ MORE – Ex-F1 star suggests 2026 drivers to replicate Max Verstappen karting challenge
Discussion about this post