Ford open to Max Verstappen Hypercar future as WEC project takes shape

Ford’s imminent return to the top tier of endurance racing has inevitably sparked questions about driver ambition, crossover appeal, and whether Max Verstappen could one day be part of that picture.

Ford’s Expanding Factory Racing Ambitions

Alongside F1, Ford is also active in endurance racing. This year, its WEC involvement is limited to customer Mustang entries in the LMGT3 class, but that programme will escalate significantly from 2027, when Ford enters the LMDh Hypercar category and competes for overall victories.

That strategic expansion naturally brings elite drivers into the conversation — and Verstappen’s name sits near the top of any such list.

Regular Conversations, No Immediate Plans

Verstappen’s growing interest in endurance racing is well established. He is even set to take part in the Nürburgring 24 Hours next week, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3, underlining his appetite for racing beyond Formula 1.

Asked whether Ford has already discussed a future Hypercar drive with Verstappen, Ford Performance director Mark Rushbrook confirmed that conversations are ongoing.

“Yes, of course,” Rushbrook said in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com Netherlands. “We love Max. We love what he does in the Formula 1 car, on the track.

We love him off the track. He's a great person, as much as he's a great driver. We love his passion to be racing GT3, like he is, and what he does with developing drivers through sim racing and getting them on the track.”

Rushbrook added that those discussions naturally extend to endurance racing opportunities. “So, of course, we have regular discussions with him about what are the opportunities to do more in sportscar, including Hypercar.”

Despite that openness, there is no short-term plan in place. Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, leaving his calendar tightly packed. As Rushbrook put it with a smile: “We’re not announcing anything.”

Scheduling Reality Remains the Biggest Barrier

Any realistic Hypercar outing would hinge on logistics rather than desire. According to Rushbrook, Verstappen’s ambition to race at Le Mans for an overall win is clear, but timing remains a persistent obstacle.

“Most years the schedule doesn't allow it, right?” he explained. “While he's a committed Formula 1 driver, most years now it's a conflict.”

For now, discussions are exploratory rather than contractual. “I think we're just talking about what the opportunity is and if and when it makes sense, and everybody wants to do it, then great.”

Why Verstappen Would Be a Game-Changer

If Verstappen were ever to step into Ford’s Hypercar — which is set to begin its test programme later this year — Rushbrook believes his impact would extend far beyond lap times.

“Drivers like him don't come along that often, in terms of what he accomplishes on track,” he said. “But it's how he accomplishes it.”

Rushbrook pointed to Verstappen’s technical feedback during testing, recalling sessions where the Dutchman completed long stints before delivering highly detailed debriefs.

“The amount of detail that he's able to give feedback to the engineers is so much more valuable than all the data that the engineers have,” he explained. “It's complementary — it's got to go together.”

According to Ford’s racing chief, Verstappen’s mental capacity for car development, tuning, and race execution would make his presence meaningful even if limited to a single event.

For now, Ford’s Hypercar project continues to take shape without a headline driver announcement — but the door, clearly, remains open.

For broader context on how Verstappen’s future continues to influence the paddock, see our analysis on Zak Brown shutting down Verstappen talk — but leaving the door ever so slightly ajar.