Vandoorne Open to Le Mans Partnership with Verstappen

Aston Martin reserve driver and Peugeot WEC racer Stoffel Vandoorne has expressed his willingness to partner Max Verstappen in an endurance event like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The comment comes as Verstappen actively pursues a career in endurance racing alongside his F1 commitments, showcasing his deep passion for all forms of motorsport.

Why it matters:

A potential collaboration between Verstappen, a four-time F1 World Champion, and Vandoorne, a seasoned Formula E and WEC driver, would create a superstar lineup for any endurance team. It highlights the growing allure of top-level endurance racing for F1's elite, potentially shifting the competitive landscape of series like the World Endurance Championship.

The details:

• Vandoorne's Interest: The Belgian driver stated he "certainly wouldn't say no" to a future Le Mans partnership with Verstappen.
• Verstappen's Ambitions: The Red Bull driver has been actively preparing for an endurance career, securing his Nordschleife GT3 license and winning on his NLS debut. He has his sights set on Le Mans and the Nürburgring 24h.
• A True Motorsport Fan: Vandoorne described Verstappen as a "motorsport fanatic" who follows every series and "knows everything about everyone," explaining his desire to drive anything with four wheels.
• McLaren's Transformation: Vandoorne also reflected on his former team, McLaren, where he raced from 2017-2018.
  • He called his tenure a "crisis phase" and "probably the worst years" for the team.
  • He praised their current progress, stability, and understanding, declaring they are now "the team to beat in Formula 1."

Looking Ahead:

While a Le Mans dream team remains speculative for now, Vandoorne's openness and Verstappen's clear intent make it a compelling possibility for the future. For McLaren, Vandoorne's comments serve as external validation of their remarkable turnaround from a backmarker to a championship-contending force.