News Summary
- Max Verstappen confirmed that he and Fernando Alonso have already discussed the possibility of racing together at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- The Red Bull driver said the project would need to fit their calendars and offer a realistic chance of fighting for victory.
- Verstappen previously named Alonso in his ideal Le Mans line-up, while Alonso has also expressed interest in sharing a Le Mans entry with the Dutchman.
More and more Formula 1 drivers are showing an interest in other categories and forms of motorsport, and Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso are two of the most prominent examples. Both drivers have openly embraced endurance racing, and the possibility of competing together at Le Mans is now being actively discussed.
In an extended interview with British media group BBC, Verstappen revealed that he has already spoken to Alonso about the possibility. The main obstacles are finding a suitable date and ensuring they have a genuine opportunity to fight for overall victory.
“We’ve talked about it,” Verstappen confirmed. “Fernando is 45 and still flying. With his experience, Le Mans in particular could be a good option.”
“But for that to happen, it needs to fit into our schedules. It is essential that it makes sense [with the calendar], it needs to be on my terms and there needs to be a real chance of winning,” he added.
Two years ago, in 2024, Verstappen gave an interview to sim racer Jarno Opmeer in which he named Alonso in his ideal Le Mans line-up, alongside his father Jos Verstappen and compatriot Nyck de Vries.
Interestingly, de Vries is now a Toyota driver in the FIA World Endurance Championship and won this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Last year, Alonso also floated the idea of racing at Le Mans with Verstappen shortly after the Dutchman’s first NLS outings as preparation for the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The idea has now moved beyond speculation, with Verstappen confirming that the two drivers have actually discussed it.
Verstappen’s interest in endurance racing has grown alongside his participation in the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The Red Bull driver has already competed in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and has repeatedly spoken about his desire to explore other forms of racing beyond Formula 1.
The possibility of a Verstappen-Alonso Le Mans pairing would also bring together two drivers with extensive F1 experience and multiple world championships. Alonso is a two-time F1 world champion and a two-time Le Mans winner, while Verstappen is a four-time F1 champion who has increasingly turned his attention to endurance racing.
During the same interview, Verstappen confirmed that he held talks with Mercedes and McLaren over the past two years about a potential F1 move. In the end, he chose to remain with Red Bull and signed a new contract through 2030.
For now, however, a Verstappen-Alonso Le Mans appearance remains dependent on the calendars and the availability of a competitive package. Verstappen made clear that simply taking part would not be enough: he wants the project to make sporting sense and give the pair a genuine chance of winning.
Formula 1 returns this weekend, September 11-13, with the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madrid street circuit. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action from the 14th round of the 2026 season.
FAQ
Have Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso discussed racing together at Le Mans?
Yes. Verstappen confirmed that he and Alonso have already discussed the possibility of competing together in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Has Max Verstappen raced at Le Mans before?
No. Verstappen has competed in endurance racing, including the Nürburgring 24 Hours, but he has not yet raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
How many times has Fernando Alonso won Le Mans?
Fernando Alonso has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice, in 2018 and 2019, with Toyota. He also won the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship.
