Ford interested in bringing Max Verstappen into future Hypercar programme
Ford is preparing for its entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar category from 2027 with a brand-new LMDh prototype, and the American manufacturer has now confirmed that discussions have already taken place with Max Verstappen regarding a possible future involvement.
The Dutch Formula 1 world champion remains strongly linked to Red Bull, but Ford Performance director Mark Rushbrook openly admitted that the company would love to see Max Verstappen competing in endurance racing under the Ford banner one day.
During an exclusive interview with Motorsport Netherlands, Mark Rushbrook expressed enormous admiration for Max Verstappen not only as a racing driver, but also as a person.
“Yes, absolutely. We love Max Verstappen. We love what he does in Formula 1, on track. We also love him off the track. He is a great person as much as he is a great driver,” Rushbrook explained.
The Ford Performance director also praised the Dutch driver’s passion for GT racing and his growing involvement in developing young talent through simulator racing programmes.
“We love his passion for racing GT3 cars, what he is doing there, and what he is doing in developing young drivers through sim racing and then bringing them onto real tracks. So of course we regularly discuss with him what the opportunities are to do more in sportscar racing, including Hypercar.”
Rushbrook then highlighted what he believes is the defining characteristic of Max Verstappen’s personality as a competitor.
“He is a racer. He wants to race.”
Max Verstappen’s growing interest in endurance racing
Max Verstappen has already shown significant interest in endurance competition over recent years. Next week, the Red Bull driver is expected to participate in the Nürburgring 24 Hours behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3 car.
Ford, meanwhile, has returned to Formula 1 through its partnership with Red Bull on the development of future Power Units, while also competing in the World Endurance Championship with Mustang LMGT3 cars operated by customer teams.
From 2027, however, the manufacturer will officially enter the top Hypercar category with its own factory LMDh programme.
No immediate plans despite ongoing discussions
Despite the regular contact between both parties, there are currently no concrete agreements in place.
Max Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, which naturally leaves his schedule heavily committed for the foreseeable future.
Mark Rushbrook underlined this point with a smile:
“We are not announcing anything.”
The Ford executive explained that any future participation would depend on several factors, particularly compatibility with Formula 1 commitments and scheduling conflicts.
“He wants to race at Le Mans and fight for the overall victory, but in most years the calendar doesn’t allow it, right? While he is an active Formula 1 driver, in most years there is now a conflict. I think we are simply discussing what the opportunity is and whether and when it makes sense. If everybody wants to do it, then fantastic.”
Ford sees huge value in Max Verstappen’s technical feedback
Mark Rushbrook also emphasised how a driver of Max Verstappen’s calibre would represent a massive asset for the development of Ford’s future Hypercar project, which is expected to begin testing later this year.
The American executive recalled the experience of observing Max Verstappen during the shakedown of Red Bull’s new Formula 1 car in Barcelona.
“One of the beautiful things about Max is that drivers like him do not come around very often in terms of what he can achieve on track. But even more importantly, it is how he achieves it.”
Rushbrook continued by describing the extraordinary quality of the feedback provided by the Dutch world champion.
“Especially this year when we were in Barcelona for the Formula 1 shakedown. Hearing his feedback over the radio while he is out testing his new car and then coming back after doing, depending on the session, 30, 40 or 50 laps. The amount of detail he is able to give the engineers is more valuable than all the data the engineers have.”
“It is complementary, it has to work together. Simply the mental ability he has to develop a car, to race, to fine-tune the setup. Having a driver like that in your programme at some point, even if only for one race, would be truly significant.”
The prospect of Max Verstappen joining Ford’s future Hypercar program highlights a growing trend of elite Formula 1 talent seeking the prestigious triple crown and endurance glory. While his current Red Bull commitments and the congested 2026-2027 F1 calendars remain the primary obstacles, the existing technical partnership between Ford and Red Bull creates a seamless bridge for such a transition. As Ford prepares its LMDh chassis for 2027, Verstappen’s legendary ability to provide granular engineering feedback—already proven during F1 shakedowns—could prove to be the “X-factor” that allows the American manufacturer to challenge for a Le Mans victory from its very first season.
How do you think Max’s famously direct feedback style would translate to the multi-driver environment of a WEC endurance team?
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