Max Verstappen is targeting appearances at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours in 2027 after Formula 1’s new calendar avoided clashes with both endurance classics. A debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, however, is not currently part of the Red Bull driver’s plans.
The four-time Formula 1 world champion has made no secret of his growing interest in endurance racing, and the structure of the 2027 F1 calendar has opened the door for him to pursue two major GT3 events without missing a Grand Prix. Verstappen wants to return to the Nordschleife after making his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut this year, while Spa-Francorchamps remains another event he has wanted to contest for several seasons.
Max Verstappen targets Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours in 2027
Formula 1 published its 2027 calendar last week and, unlike in several previous seasons, none of Europe’s biggest 24-hour endurance races directly clashes with a Grand Prix weekend.
The Nürburgring 24 Hours will take place from May 27-30, fitting into the gap between the Canadian and Monaco Grands Prix. The Spa 24 Hours is scheduled for June 24-27, between the Portuguese and British Grands Prix.
That has created a realistic opportunity for Max Verstappen to expand his programme outside Formula 1.
The Dutchman would once again compete through his GT3 operation, which is supported by Mercedes-AMG Motorsport and already competes in GT World Challenge Europe.
Speaking ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, Max Verstappen was asked which endurance events he is considering for next season.
“Probably Nürburgring and Spa, while Le Mans is a no. For now, it’s not in my plans,” Max Verstappen said.
Verstappen wants another attempt at the Nürburgring 24 Hours
The Nürburgring represents the clearest target after Max Verstappen made his debut in the famous Nordschleife event during 2026. He had already indicated after that appearance that he wanted to return when the calendar allowed it.
“In any case, I had already said that after racing at the Nordschleife I wanted to go back there. If I have the opportunity to prepare properly and everything goes the right way, I’ll be there,” Max Verstappen explained.
That preparation could include another race on the Nordschleife ahead of the 24 Hours, giving Max Verstappen additional mileage before tackling the main event.
The Formula 1 calendar removing a direct clash is important, but Max Verstappen stressed that this alone does not guarantee his participation.
“I know there are no date clashes, but I still have to see whether it fits into my schedule. Spa has also become an attractive option to take part in, so I’ll assess everything properly.”
His endurance ambitions are not new. Max Verstappen has repeatedly discussed his desire to compete in major long-distance events alongside his Formula 1 career, with the Dutchman previously outlining his longer-term interest in Le Mans and endurance racing.
Spa adjusts test schedule ahead of 2027 24 Hours
The possibility of a Spa debut has also been helped by the organisation of the 2027 event. SRO Motorsports Group has scheduled the official two-day Spa 24 Hours Prologue for June 15-16, around 10 days before the race itself.
That gives Max Verstappen another potential opportunity to prepare for the Ardennes classic without a direct Formula 1 race-weekend clash.
For the moment, both Nürburgring and Spa remain possibilities rather than confirmed entries, with Max Verstappen wanting to ensure he can prepare properly without compromising his commitments in Formula 1.
Le Mans debut looks unlikely for Verstappen in 2027
A 2027 appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans looks significantly less likely. Although the race itself does not clash directly with a Formula 1 Grand Prix, entering the French classic would involve additional complications and preparation.
One potential route would involve an LMGT3 entry, which would require an entry request to be accepted by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. An even more ambitious option would be a seat in Ford’s LMDh programme in the Hypercar class, but that path appears considerably more difficult at this stage.
For Max Verstappen, Le Mans therefore remains a longer-term ambition rather than an immediate objective. His priority outside Formula 1 for 2027 is instead focused on GT3 machinery and two circuits he already knows particularly well.
Lando Norris refuses to sacrifice Formula 1 for Le Mans
Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris has also cooled speculation about a potential Le Mans appearance, despite recently testing McLaren’s MCL-HY Hypercar at Portimão.
McLaren is preparing for its return to the World Endurance Championship in 2027, and Zak Brown has never hidden his willingness to create opportunities for the team’s Formula 1 drivers to race at Le Mans if circumstances allow.
Norris, however, stressed that his recent Hypercar test was not undertaken with an immediate Le Mans programme in mind.
“I repeat, it’s not something I thought about at all when I did the LMDh test. Of course, it was nice to take part and do something. For me, it is also positive to go and test other cars. A large part of it is about helping me experience something different,” Lando Norris said.
“There are things I can try in another car that help me in F1. But all my focus is still on F1, and it always will be. I will never sacrifice anything in F1 for something else.”
The McLaren driver nevertheless left the door open to competing in the endurance classic later in his career.
“If there was an opportunity, we would see what could be done. But I don’t know whether that will be next year, the year after, or in three or four years. Right now I have no idea and it isn’t something I’ve ever thought about.”
“But it is something I would like to do in the future, yes.”
For 2027, therefore, Max Verstappen appears considerably closer to expanding his racing programme outside Formula 1. The Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours are both realistic possibilities if the preparation and logistics fall into place, while Le Mans remains an ambition for another time.
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