[Saba Sports News] During the WEC race week at Spa, senior Ford officials confirmed for the first time that they have opened talks with Max Verstappen over the possibility of him racing for Ford in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the future. This marks the first clear official confirmation that Ford has extended an offer for Verstappen to join its programme. The revelation comes at a highly sensitive time, as Verstappen is set to make his debut in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring next week, while his dissatisfaction with the future Formula 1 regulations continues to linger.
Since the start of the 2026 season, Verstappen has repeatedly publicly criticised the new power unit rules, particularly disliking the driving style that relies heavily on energy recovery and deployment. He even hinted early in the season that he might walk away from Formula 1 early if the future regulatory direction remains unchanged. Although the FIA has since made successive rule adjustments and plans to further reduce the proportion of the electric component in 2027, Verstappen is evidently still seriously considering his long-term future in motorsport.
Over the past few years, Verstappen has never hidden his interest in Le Mans. He has regularly taken part in GT3 testing and endurance racing simulations, and once planned to team up with Fernando Alonso and his father Jos Verstappen to compete at Le Mans. On Ford’s side, the manufacturer will officially enter the WEC Hypercar class in 2027, and currently has an existing Formula 1 technical partnership with Red Bull. Mark Rushbrook, Ford’s global motorsport chief, revealed that discussions regarding a Le Mans programme with Verstappen actually date back as early as 2023. He stated that it would be incredible for both the brand and motorsport as a whole if Verstappen were to drive a Ford Hypercar at Le Mans in the future.
In the editor’s opinion, this official confirmation of ongoing negotiations is enough to make the entire F1 paddock rethink Verstappen’s future. After all, for a four-time Formula 1 World Champion who keeps expanding his horizons into GT and endurance racing, Le Mans may sooner or later become the final piece of his career jigsaw.