Vettel’s Le Mans project
Since retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season, Sebastian Vettel has not returned to competitive racing, apart from a test outing with the Porsche 963 prototype two years ago. However, the four-time world champion has repeatedly made one ambition clear – most recently in an interview with Sky Deutschland – that he would like to compete one day in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
And the German does not want to take on the iconic endurance race alongside just anyone. His preferred teammate would be a driver who, like him, won four Formula 1 world titles with Red Bull: Max Verstappen. This is not simply a dream scenario, but a genuine possibility that has already been discussed between the two drivers on several occasions.
“I’m in regular contact with Max, and a few years ago we talked about how, if the opportunity came up, we could race together at Le Mans,” Vettel confirmed.
Verstappen’s (and Alonso’s) response
Verstappen himself did not deny the idea put forward by the former Ferrari driver. On the contrary, the Dutchman admitted he would be keen to share a car with Vettel at Le Mans – but only under the right circumstances.
“Yes, I would really like that,” Verstappen said. “But, of course, only if we are able to fight for the win. You have to be with the right team. So it’s a bit difficult to say at the moment when that could happen. I mean, I’ve heard that Alonso will keep racing until he’s 75, so I’m sure we’ll find a moment and a year to race all together.”
Confirmation that a future line-up featuring Vettel and Verstappen could also include Fernando Alonso came from the Spanish driver himself. The two-time Le Mans winner, who triumphed in 2018 and 2019, has previously expressed his openness to such a project – but only “with a very well-prepared team”.
For Formula 1 fans, the prospect of three multiple world champions joining forces at the 24 Hours of Le Mans would be a dream scenario – and, judging by their words, perhaps not an impossible one.
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