News Summary
- Max Verstappen says the Nürburgring and Spa 24-hour races are possible in 2027, but Le Mans is not currently on his list.
- Nürburgring and Spa accept the GT3 machinery already used by Verstappen Racing, giving him greater control over the programme.
- A serious attempt at Le Mans would require an invitation in LMGT3 or, preferably, a competitive manufacturer-backed Hypercar seat.
Max Verstappen finally has the calendar he wanted. Formula 1’s 2027 schedule avoids direct clashes with the 24-hour races at Nürburgring, Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps, leaving its drivers free to explore opportunities beyond the World Championship.
Verstappen, however, does not consider those three possibilities equal.
Asked in Baku about his plans for next season, the Red Bull driver immediately identified the two GT3 classics while distancing himself from an appearance at Circuit de la Sarthe.
“Nürburgring and Spa, probably,” Verstappen said during a media session attended by GRANDE PRÊMIO. “Le Mans not. That’s not on my list for now.”
The distinction is not about prestige. Verstappen has repeatedly expressed an ambition to contest Le Mans during his career and has discussed sharing a car with Fernando Alonso. Instead, the difference lies in machinery, preparation and how much control he would retain over the project.
Nürburgring and Spa are extensions of the racing operation Verstappen has already built. Le Mans would require him to enter somebody else’s programme.
Nürburgring represents unfinished business
Verstappen’s desire to return to the Nordschleife is straightforward. He has already completed the required qualification process, gained experience in GT3 machinery and contested the Nürburgring 24 Hours with a Mercedes-AMG operated alongside Verstappen Racing.
That first attempt did not deliver the result he wanted, strengthening rather than diminishing his interest in returning.
“I said already, after the race at the Nordschleife, that I wanted to go back,” Verstappen explained in Baku. “If it allows me to do that, then I’ll definitely try.”
The 2027 Nürburgring 24 Hours will be held from May 27–30. It falls between the Canadian GP on May 23 and Monaco on June 6, leaving no direct clash but creating an intense sequence of three major events in three weekends.
Verstappen nevertheless possesses several advantages. He knows the circuit, already holds the necessary permit and can return with a team structure familiar with his requirements. His previous preparation included Nürburgring Endurance Series appearances, giving him experience of the Nordschleife’s traffic, changing conditions and multi-class racing.
Rather than beginning another endurance project from zero, Verstappen would be continuing one that already exists.
Spa fits directly into Verstappen Racing’s programme
The 24 Hours of Spa offers an equally natural next step. It is the centrepiece of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, the championship in which Verstappen Racing already competes.
Spa uses GT3 cars exclusively, removing the complications created by Le Mans’ multi-class structure. Verstappen can therefore compete in machinery and with personnel already integrated into his programme.
The Dutchman also knows Spa intimately through Formula 1 and has repeatedly described it as one of his favourite circuits. What he lacks is direct experience of its 24-hour GT3 race, where traffic management and changing weather create a very different contest from the Belgian GP.
Verstappen previously asked GT World Challenge Europe organisers to avoid a clash with Formula 1 in 2027. That request has effectively been accommodated: Spa is scheduled for June 24–27, between the Portuguese GP on June 20 and British GP on July 4.
The turnaround would be demanding, but technically possible. More importantly, Verstappen Racing can prepare the programme rather than waiting for an invitation from a separate manufacturer.
Le Mans requires more than an empty weekend
The 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place from June 9–13, between the Monaco and Portuguese Grands Prix. Nothing in the 2027 F1 calendar prevents Verstappen from competing, but calendar availability solves only the simplest part of the problem.
Le Mans does not offer the same straightforward route for Verstappen Racing.
Its LMGT3 field is selected through invitations and manufacturer allocations, with preference generally given to full-season World Endurance Championship entries. Mercedes-AMG does not currently provide Verstappen with an established Le Mans programme equivalent to those available at Nürburgring and Spa.
A one-off LMGT3 entry would consequently require a new manufacturer relationship, an available invitation and preparation with an unfamiliar team. Even then, Verstappen would be fighting for a class victory rather than the overall win.
That distinction matters. Verstappen has shown greater interest in eventually competing at Le Mans in the Hypercar category, where he could challenge for outright victory. Such an attempt would require a factory-supported seat and a programme capable of winning at the first opportunity.
Ford will enter the WEC’s top category in 2027 and represents an obvious future link through Red Bull’s Formula 1 power-unit partnership. However, discussions about a possible Verstappen appearance have not produced a 2027 programme, and Ford’s debut season would already involve establishing its regular drivers and cars.
Le Mans is therefore available—but not yet ready.
Verstappen can control the GT3 projects
Verstappen’s choices reveal how his career outside Formula 1 is developing. He is not simply accepting isolated guest appearances. Through Verstappen Racing, he is building a structure capable of preparing cars, selecting partners and creating opportunities for other drivers.
Nürburgring and Spa reinforce that project. Both allow Verstappen to race within the GT3 ecosystem his team already understands, using familiar engineering relationships and personnel.
Le Mans would require a different commitment. A Hypercar programme operates at factory level and requires extensive simulator work, testing and adaptation to hybrid prototypes. Even an LMGT3 appearance would depend on entry selection and manufacturer priorities beyond Verstappen’s control.
He has also previously questioned aspects of Le Mans competition, including Balance of Performance and the absence of a standardised driver-weight calculation. At approximately 80kg with his equipment, Verstappen argued that he could be disadvantaged against lighter drivers sharing the same car.
Those concerns have not removed Le Mans from his long-term objectives. They help explain why he is unwilling to rush into an entry simply because the calendar permits one.
Le Mans remains a future objective
Verstappen’s statement should not be interpreted as a permanent rejection. His wording—“not on my list for now”—leaves the possibility open once the correct manufacturer, car and driver line-up become available.
A partnership with Alonso remains one of the sport’s most attractive theoretical combinations. Alonso won Le Mans outright with Toyota in 2018 and 2019 and has previously discussed forming a future entry with Verstappen.
For 2027, however, the priorities are clearer. The Nürburgring and Spa races fit directly into Verstappen’s existing GT3 ambitions. Le Mans demands a separate project capable of matching the seriousness of his ambition.
The Nürburgring 24 Hours is scheduled for May 27–30, followed by Le Mans on June 9–13 and the 24 Hours of Spa from June 24–27.
WEC, IMSA and endurance: FAQ
Could the 24 Hours of Le Mans leave the WEC?
Yes, but no separation has been confirmed. If the FIA replaces the ACO as WEC promoter and the organisations do not renew the separate agreement covering Le Mans, the race could cease to count towards the championship.
Is the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans at risk of cancellation?
No. The reported dispute concerns Le Mans’ position within the WEC, not whether the race will take place. The ACO has already announced the 2027 event for June 9–13.
Who currently promotes the World Endurance Championship?
Le Mans Endurance Management, a subsidiary of the ACO, operates the WEC under its partnership with the FIA. Auto Motor und Sport reports that the governing body is considering a new promoter after the existing agreements expired.
Will Max Verstappen race at Le Mans in 2027?
Verstappen says Le Mans is not currently on his 2027 list, despite the event not clashing with a Formula 1 weekend.
