Yes, we know that it is not possible yet… but Alonso has put the idea on the table, and who knows if it can be fulfilled in the future.
Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen respect and admire each other, and have left a good example of it over the last few years in their interviews. Both are born competitors and look beyond Formula 1, so they are open to participating in other categories and mythical races, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Alonso has already done it, and has just launched an ‘offer’ to Verstappen.
The Asturian driver, twice winner of this legendary event, has not hidden his desire to return in the future, especially now that the World Endurance Championship is embarking on a new golden age with competitive regulations and brands such as Ferrari, Toyota , Alpine… involved. For Verstappen, leaving F1 to participate in such a race is still a long way off… at first.
And it is that, at a minimum, Verstappen is committed to Red Bull until the end of 2028, but then who knows. The Dutch driver himself has already confessed that he would like to participate in the future in other mythical endurance races, and also that he would like to run alongside his father. Not surprisingly, Max has already run the virtual version of the iconic La Sarthe event.
In an interview with De Telegraaf – who started a ‘pique’ with Hamilton -, Alonso spoke about Le Mans and took the opportunity to launch the proposal to Verstappen to compete together in the legendary 24-hour race, where he has already lifted the winner’s trophy on two occasions. What is not clear to him is having Jos Verstappen – who is now 50 years old – as a third teammate.
“I know that Max would like to race in endurance races one day and that he is interested in participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I would definitely like to race with him. I think we should explore that idea if we can do it together,” said the Asturian. “As for having Jos, at the moment I prefer Max, although I also have a lot of respect for his father. He could be the crew chief.”
At the moment, that idea can only be that, an illusion. Not only because Verstappen is committed to Red Bull for several more seasons, but because Fernando Alonso has just signed with Aston Martin until the end of 2024 with the option to extend his contract for another year.
But then, who knows. Verstappen himself already dropped some time ago that, perhaps, 2028 will be his last year of contract in F1. “By then, I will have been in Formula 1 for a long time,” Max confessed a few months ago. “Races like Le Mans, Spa, Daytona or Sebring attract me. I’ve already won in the simulator (in endurance races), but never in competition.”