Ford executive Mark Rushbrook confirms that the American car manufacturer is in talks with Max Verstappen about ‘doing more in sports car racing, including Hypercar’. According to the executive, there is mutual interest in collaborating outside of Formula 1 as well, especially for a future entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, both parties still need to be patient. Verstappen’s busy Formula 1 schedule currently does not allow participation in the prestigious endurance race.
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Ford will debut next year with a Hypercar in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). The next racing adventure for the well-known American brand comes after Ford’s first collaboration with Red Bull in Formula 1. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has meanwhile also made his first outings in endurance racing. He will start next week in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
Ford executive Mark Rushbrook therefore fervently hopes that a collaboration with the four-time world champion will soon happen outside of F1 as well. “We love Max,” he tells Motorsport.com. “We also love him off the track. He is a great person, just as he is a great driver. We appreciate his passion for GT3 racing. So of course, we regularly have conversations with him about the possibilities to do more in sports car racing, including Hypercar.”
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Verstappen himself has also shown interest, according to Rushbrook: “He is a driver. He wants to race.” The executive immediately adds that there are no concrete plans yet. “Max would like to race at Le Mans and compete for the overall victory, but usually his full schedule does not allow it. He is a dedicated Formula 1 driver, so there is usually no time for participation. I think we are just looking at what possibilities exist and whether and when it makes sense. If everyone then wants to do it, that would be great.”
Mercedes
Verstappen will travel to the Nürburgring next week. Because the Canadian GP is only held at the end of May, the Dutchman has time this year to participate in his very first endurance race. Verstappen will then get behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3, but Rushbrook hopes to change that in the future. “We prefer to see our Ford drivers in a Ford,” says the executive. “We understand why he did that. We greatly appreciate his passion. This is the right program for him at the moment. But of course, we would love to see him in a Ford in the sports car world.”
Read everything about the Canadian GP here
