Leclerc eyes Le Mans victory, inspired by Verstappen's endurance success

Charles Leclerc has openly declared his ambition to compete in and win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, acknowledging the significant preparation required to challenge at the highest level. The Ferrari driver's comments, made at the FIA Gala, come in the wake of Max Verstappen's recent GT3 victory and highlight a growing trend of F1 stars seeking glory in endurance racing.

Why it matters:

Leclerc's public desire to tackle Le Mans underscores a shift where top-tier Formula 1 drivers are no longer viewing their careers as exclusive to single-seaters. Following Verstappen's successful GT3 debut, it signals that winning the Triple Crown—Monaco GP, Indy 500, and Le Mans—or simply conquering iconic races outside F1 is becoming a tangible goal for the modern generation, blending elite skill sets across disciplines.

The details:

Speaking in Uzbekistan, Leclerc was definitive about his future plans, stating he needs to find a way to balance his Formula 1 commitments with the rigorous preparation needed to win at Le Mans. He emphasized that the level of competition in endurance racing is "super high," and any participation would be with the sole intention of victory, not just participation. This mindset mirrors the approach of fellow champion Max Verstappen, who recently won his GT3 category debut at the Nürburgring Nordschleife driving a Ferrari 296 GT3 and has expressed interest in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring next year.

The big picture:

Leclerc also connected Ferrari's current motorsport efforts, expressing pride in the team's legacy and a clear directive for the Formula 1 squad. He pointed to the success of Ferrari's endurance program as a benchmark, stating it is "up to us to live up to expectations just like my teammates in endurance do." This comment subtly frames the internal pressure within Ferrari to translate their World Endurance Championship (WEC) prowess and historic Le Mans wins back into consistent Formula 1 championship contention.

What's next:

While no timeline was given, Leclerc's statement adds his name to a growing list of current F1 drivers eyeing legendary races beyond the grand prix calendar. His participation hinges on meticulously balancing the physical and scheduling demands of F1 with a dedicated Le Mans program. For Ferrari, the driver's ambition aligns perfectly with the brand's rich history at the Circuit de la Sarthe, potentially setting the stage for a future factory-backed entry with one of its star drivers at the helm.