Verstappen tracks Spa 24 Hours from Austrian GP as GT ambitions grow

Verstappen’s split focus in Spielberg

Max Verstappen may be on duty at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, but his attention is not confined solely to Spielberg this weekend. In the background, the four-time world champion is closely following the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, an event he has made clear he would like to contest himself if the calendar allowed it.

His engagement is not merely symbolic. Before his written media session in Spielberg, Verstappen was watching the Spa sessions on his phone, underlining how closely he is tracking the programme. The Austrian weekend is already significant for Red Bull, with further context around the team’s direction covered in our report on Verstappen and Red Bull’s Austrian GP talks over his F1 future.

‘Very much involved’ as a team owner

That involvement is currently as a team owner, but Verstappen has no interest in keeping it that way indefinitely. He has already made his preference known for next year, provided the endurance classic can avoid a clash with Formula 1.

“Of course, I wish that I could race in Spa as well. I told them already for next year. It would be ideal if they could schedule it outside of a Formula 1 weekend, so let’s see.”

Spa’s pull remains obvious

The appeal is straightforward. Spa-Francorchamps is one of Verstappen’s favourite circuits — indeed, his favourite track on the Formula 1 calendar — and the 24-hour event’s GT-only format gives it a distinct attraction.

“Spa is an amazing track and a 24-hour race with only GT cars is something very special.”

Verstappen has asked GT World Challenge Europe organisers whether the 2027 edition could avoid overlapping with an F1 weekend. When it was put to him that he could theoretically skip a grand prix if he were not directly involved in the title fight, he laughed: “I'm sure that Red Bull will not be very happy with that!”

Wider endurance ambitions

Spa is not the only endurance target on Verstappen’s radar. He would also like to return to the Nordschleife next year for the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring. Longer term, alongside a future Le Mans outing, he also has ambitions to race the 24 Hours of Daytona in a GT car if the off-season schedule makes it possible.