Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen has revealed that he and former Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo have already discussed a potential joint entry at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, though scheduling demands mean any competitive attempt requires extensive preparation.
Verstappen and Ricciardo Discuss Le Mans Prospects
The possibility of a future Le Mans partnership surfaced during a recent interview on the Beyond the Grid podcast, where Daniel Ricciardo discussed his Formula 1 exit and potential next steps in motorsport. Ricciardo identified Verstappen as his primary choice for a dream driver line-up, adding Sebastian Vettel as another option to form what he described as a Red Bull reunion.
“He’s a smart man to choose me in the car,” Verstappen joked on the podcast. “This is not new to me, of course. Yeah, we have spoken. I don’t think we are the types that always need to share everything. We talk about a lot of things in the background.”
Endurance Racing Ambitions Require Proper Preparation
Verstappen has maintained an active interest in sports car endurance racing outside of Formula 1.
“Also for me, if I want to do it, I want to do it proper with really good prep,” Verstappen stated. “And at the moment I cannot do that. I don’t have the time—the free time to dedicate to a Le Mans project with all the other things that I’m also doing outside of Formula 1.”
One-Off Entries Versus Full-Season Commitments
While Ricciardo indicated that a full-season sports car racing calendar does not appeal to him, Verstappen believes that selected one-off endurance entries remain a viable option if they can secure a competitive package. The pair previously raced alongside each other at Red Bull Racing from 2016 through the 2018 season.
“He doesn’t see himself coming back for a whole race, like a season. But the one-offs can interest him. Why not?” Verstappen said. “If we do something like that, he will for sure agree that it needs to be proper. It needs to be for a chance to win. For a chance to win against people that do it a whole season, you need to be prepared really well. You just need to find the right timings.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Verstappen and Ricciardo at Le Mans
When did Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo race together in Formula 1?
Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo were teammates at Red Bull Racing for three full seasons, racing alongside each other from 2016 until Ricciardo’s departure at the end of 2018.
Why has Verstappen delayed entering the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
Verstappen stated that he lacks the necessary free time to dedicate to a proper Le Mans preparation program while maintaining his current Formula 1 schedule and outside commitments.
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