Ford has confirmed holding long-term discussions with Max Verstappen regarding a potential future appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The talks have reportedly been ongoing for more than three years as the four-time Formula 1 world champion continues to expand his interest in endurance racing and GT competition.
The revelation came from Ford global motorsport director Mark Rushbrook ahead of the latest round of the World Endurance Championship at Spa-Francorchamps. Ford is currently preparing a full-scale return to the WEC Hypercar category in 2027 with a two-car programme, marking one of the manufacturer’s biggest international racing projects in decades.
Rushbrook admitted Ford would welcome the opportunity to see Verstappen race at Le Mans under its banner. However, he stressed that multiple factors still need to align, including Formula 1 scheduling, contractual obligations, and the long-term development timeline of Ford’s Hypercar programme.
"I would love to see that happen. It would be incredible for us and for motorsport. But a lot of things still need to align before it becomes possible," Rushbrook explained.
Verstappen’s interest in endurance racing has grown significantly over the past two seasons. In addition to developing his own GT racing project, the Red Bull Racing driver is also expected to make his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut soon. The Dutchman has repeatedly identified Le Mans as one of his long-term ambitions, potentially even while remaining active in Formula 1.
Another key factor strengthening the possibility is the expanding technical partnership between Ford and Red Bull through their Formula 1 power unit collaboration ahead of the 2026 engine regulation changes. That relationship could create a more direct pathway for Verstappen to join Ford’s future Hypercar effort should the F1 and WEC calendars become manageable.
Despite the growing speculation, Rushbrook ruled out the possibility of Verstappen joining Ford immediately for the manufacturer’s 2027 Hypercar debut season. According to him, the programme remains heavily focused on technical preparation and operational development before long-term driver decisions become a priority.
"We’ve discussed this ever since the Red Bull partnership was announced. We are simply looking for the right opportunity and the right programme for everything to align," Rushbrook added.
If Verstappen eventually competes at Le Mans while still active in Formula 1, he would follow the path of Fernando Alonso, who won the 2018 edition with Toyota. Before that, Nico Hulkenberg claimed overall victory for Porsche in 2015 during his active F1 career. With the Hypercar category becoming increasingly competitive and attracting more global manufacturers, Verstappen’s potential move into endurance racing is beginning to appear more realistic.
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