Verstappen Eyes Daytona 24 Hours Debut: 'I'd Love to Do It'

Max Verstappen is already plotting his next endurance racing adventure. After a cruel mechanical failure denied him a maiden win at the Nürburgring 24 Hours earlier this month, the four-time F1 champion has publicly expressed interest in tackling the Daytona 24 Hours, potentially as early as January 2027.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's potential move to Daytona would mark a major crossover between Formula 1 and IMSA's crown jewel, bringing massive global attention to the event. It also signals his growing commitment to sports car racing beyond the Nordschleife, though it would require a significant sacrifice of his traditional off-season preparation.

The details:

• Bucket list expansion: Verstappen told De Telegraaf that Daytona is “an idea at the moment, but not concrete yet.” He added, “I would love to do it. And then again in a GT3 car, I think, not in the fastest GTP class.”
• No more races in 2026: The Dutchman has ruled out any further GT outings this year, saying “outside the Nordschleife I think not.” This clears the calendar for a potential blockbuster assault on the 2027 Daytona 24 Hours, held in late January before the F1 season begins.
• Training trade-off: Committing to Daytona means adjusting his usual January preparation for the F1 campaign. “If I wanted to do that, I will have to adjust my entire training program to it,” Verstappen admitted. “I will also have to discuss it with my family.”
• Nürburgring revenge: Verstappen confirmed he intends to return to the Nordschleife next year if the dates don't clash with F1. “I would like to be back in action there as well,” he said, signaling a potential dual endurance campaign for 2027.

What's next:

Verstappen's Daytona plans remain in the early stages, but the door is clearly open. If finalized, it would allow the F1 star to compete in two of the world's most grueling endurance races in the same year. The biggest hurdle remains the reshuffling of his winter routine, a decision he will weigh with his team and family in the months ahead.