Max Verstappen in talks with Ford over Le Mans hypercar project

Max Verstappen has held talks with Ford about a potential Le Mans 24 Hours hypercar project, Ford's motorsport boss Mark Rushbrook confirmed. The four-time Formula 1 champion is keen to compete at Le Mans, but scheduling conflicts with F1 races have made it difficult — the 2026 Le Mans clashes with the Spanish Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's interest in endurance racing could create one of the biggest crossovers in motorsport. Ford is preparing a hypercar entry for the World Endurance Championship in 2027, and having the reigning F1 champion on board would be a massive boost for the Blue Oval's return to top-level sportscars.

The details:

• Rushbrook told Motorsport Netherlands that the two sides have "regular discussions" about a Hypercar opportunity.
• Verstappen's passion for GT racing and driver development through sim racing is well known, and Ford sees him as a perfect fit for its sportscar ambitions.
• The main hurdle is the calendar: Le Mans usually clashes with an F1 race. In 2026, it conflicts with the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, and Rushbrook noted that most years now there is a conflict while Verstappen is a committed F1 driver.
• Ford is already partnered with Red Bull's powertrains division for F1's 2026 regulations, strengthening the existing relationship between the two parties.

Looking ahead:

There is no concrete timeline or commitment yet, but both sides are open to making it work. "If and when it makes sense, and everybody wants to do it, then great," Rushbrook said. For now, Verstappen remains focused on F1, but the prospect of a Le Mans outing with Ford remains very much alive.