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The pinnacle of motorsport rarely stops at Formula 1. For many of the sport's elite drivers, endurance racing represents the ultimate challenge—a test of skill, strategy, and stamina that the 24-hour format uniquely demands. Now, three of F1's most decorated champions are seriously discussing an unprecedented collaboration at motorsport's most prestigious endurance event: the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Sebastian Vettel initiated the conversation. The four-time world champion, who retired from F1 in 2022, revealed in a ServusTV interview that he has maintained regular contact with Max Verstappen to explore a potential partnership. "I am also in regular contact with Max, and a few years ago we discussed that, if the opportunity arose, we would drive at Le Mans together," Vettel explained, positioning this as both a genuine aspiration and a long-running dialogue between the two drivers.
Vettel's interest in endurance racing is not merely theoretical. In 2024, the German undertook test runs in a Porsche 963 LMDh prototype, demonstrating his serious commitment to this path. However, those plans stalled following Porsche's WEC withdrawal, leaving Vettel seeking alternative avenues for his Le Mans ambitions.
Verstappen's response was characteristically measured but encouraging. During pre-season testing in Bahrain, the Red Bull driver confirmed his enthusiasm while imposing a critical stipulation: "I would love to do that. But of course only if we can fight for wins. You have to work with the right team, so it's a bit difficult to say when that might happen."
The Dutchman then expanded the scope of potential recruitment, introducing Fernando Alonso into the equation with characteristic humor. With a knowing nod toward Alonso's stated intent to race until age 75, Verstappen quipped: "So I'm sure we'll find a time and a year when we can all race together."
Alonso, who boasts Le Mans credentials most drivers can only dream of—winning the prestigious 24-hour race in both 2018 and 2019 with Toyota—responded with characteristic confidence. His conditions for participation were refreshingly blunt: "If I do that again, the guys have to be well prepared!"
This hypothetical trio would command extraordinary credentials. Combined, they hold ten Formula 1 world championships: four for Vettel, four for Verstappen, and two for Alonso. Such concentrated excellence would represent a formidable challenge to any competitor.
While enthusiasm is genuine, practical obstacles remain. Verstappen's current full-time F1 commitment—competing in a 24-race calendar—creates scheduling complexities. Additionally, 2026 is already ruled out due to a direct clash with the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Nevertheless, the three drivers appear resolved to find an alignment of circumstances that permits their shared ambition to materialize.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.
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