An iconic F1 duo (and beyond) could come together elsewhere
Formula 1 remains the present. Le Mans could become the future—or perhaps simply the stage where some of the greatest stars of modern motorsport find themselves racing under the same colors.
McLaren’s Hypercar project is continuing to take shape ahead of its debut in the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship, and as development of the MCL-HY progresses, speculation over the drivers who could eventually race the car is naturally beginning to grow.
Many of these scenarios remain little more than exciting possibilities. Others, however, are grounded in the strong relationships that Zak Brown has built over the years with some of the biggest names in international motorsport. Among them, Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen inevitably stand out—two champions who have never shared the same Formula 1 garage but have always shown mutual admiration for each other’s talent and achievements.
Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen together? The WEC could turn a dream into reality
The prospect of seeing Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen behind the wheel of the same Hypercar is one of those scenarios that would have seemed almost impossible just a few months ago. Today, however, McLaren’s arrival in the top class of the FIA World Endurance Championship makes the idea far more realistic.
The topic first emerged at Silverstone, where Fernando Alonso was asked whether he could imagine sharing a car with the reigning Dutch Formula 1 World Champion in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Spaniard initially responded with a joke. Fernando Alonso quipped that Zak Brown would first need to find the budget required to put two drivers of that caliber in the same lineup. After the light-hearted remark, however, he brought the discussion back to reality.
His current relationship with Aston Martin remains the biggest obstacle. Should the two-time Formula 1 World Champion continue his career with the Silverstone-based team, any return to Le Mans would most likely come through Aston Martin’s existing Hypercar program.
His comments therefore confirm that Formula 1 remains his top priority. Endurance racing may well return to his plans, but only when his commitments in the Formula 1 paddock allow it.
Meanwhile, McLaren continues to build its endurance project. The MCL-HY has already completed its first phases of on-track development and, during the Goodwood Festival of Speed, it was also driven by Lando Norris—a clear indication that the program has now entered its operational phase.
Not just Fernando Alonso: Valentino Rossi also dreams of McLaren
McLaren’s endurance ambitions could also involve another legendary name. Valentino Rossi has never hidden his desire to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After scaling back his racing commitments to focus on GT competition, the nine-time motorcycle world champion still considers the famous French endurance classic to be one of the major goals left on his career checklist.
Adding even more intrigue to the story is the relationship he has built over the years with Lando Norris. The British driver grew up watching the exploits of “The Doctor,” considering him one of his sporting idols. The two have developed a close friendship, and the Italian legend has publicly admitted that he would love to share a Le Mans entry with the McLaren Formula 1 driver.
Once again, the biggest challenge is the Formula 1 calendar. Modern F1 drivers face incredibly demanding schedules, making it far more difficult to combine Grand Prix commitments with a full FIA World Endurance Championship campaign than it was in previous decades.
Lando Norris, for his part, has not ruled out the possibility. Having already driven a Hypercar during development work on the MCL-HY, the British driver confirmed that competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of his personal ambitions. Realistically, though, it may still take a few more seasons before sporting and regulatory conditions make such a project feasible.
The WEC is becoming increasingly strategic for Formula 1 teams
Behind these exciting possibilities lies a much broader trend. With McLaren preparing for its WEC debut, Aston Martin already racing the Valkyrie, and Red Bull indirectly involved through its partnership with Ford, the connection between Formula 1 and endurance racing has never been stronger.
Le Mans is once again becoming a realistic objective for many of Formula 1’s biggest stars, much like it was during the 1980s and 1990s. Much will depend on calendar compatibility, an issue that has frequently prevented Formula 1 drivers from competing in the legendary French endurance race in recent years.
If that obstacle can eventually be overcome, 2027 could open the door to scenarios that, until now, have existed only in the imagination. Seeing Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen racing in the same car—or Lando Norris sharing driving duties with Valentino Rossi—remains only a possibility today. For the first time, however, it is a possibility built on far more solid foundations than ever before.
Leave a Reply