Ford Performance director Mark Rushbrook recently revealed that he regularly has conversations with Max Verstappen about a possible participation in Ford’s racing program. The American car giant is already active in multiple classes, but from 2027 will also join the hypercar program within the WEC. Former F1 driver Logan Sargeant, who will join Ford’s hypercar team next year, fervently hopes to get reinforcement from Verstappen.
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Verstappen proves with his upcoming participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring that he wants to focus on multiple racing classes – provided the F1 calendar allows it. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is high on his wish list. Rushbrook, who somewhat regrets that Verstappen competes in Germany in a Mercedes, could offer the Dutchman a Ford seat at Le Mans, possibly alongside Sargeant. The latter would find it ‘an honor’ to compete together with the Dutchman in the WEC.
Sargeant is still racing this year in the LMGT3 class but will switch to the hypercar program next year. “Well, if he (Verstappen, ed.) races, I hope he’s in my car,” laughed the 25-year-old American in an interview with Motorsport.com. “I think Max is the best of all time. So if I could share a car with him, that would be a huge honor. Besides, it gives a big advantage.” Asked what Verstappen can add to the WEC, Sargeant responded: “He is the fastest driver in the world. He will probably thrash everyone. I’d rather have him in my car than in the competitor’s.”
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Plug-and-play
“It’s about so much more than just driving style,” he explained. “It’s valuable to see what he does with the material, lap after lap, and how he makes adjustments. Of course, he has enormous F1 experience; for him, the WEC is simply plug-and-play,” Sargeant referred to Verstappen’s adaptability. “You can learn so much from him. He didn’t win those four titles just like that. You see that even if he doesn’t have the fastest car, he always finds a way to stay competitive. You can’t say that about everyone.”
Logan Sargeant competed in 36 Grands Prix for Williams between 2023 and 2024. In his debut season, he scored one World Championship point and initially managed to retain his seat for 2024. However, the second year was more difficult; the pressure increased and eventually he was replaced by Franco Colapinto for the last nine races. Nevertheless, support from Williams remained strong. Team principal James Vowles previously spoke positively about the future prospects of his former driver and stated that Sargeant ‘absolutely has the qualities to become champion in many other series.’
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