Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has never hidden his desire to win races and championships outside of Formula 1.
Last season, as well as trying to chase down Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the F1 drivers’ championship, Max Verstappen was also beginning his GT3 career.
After having to earn his license to race GT3 cars, he took part in a four-hour race on the famous Nordschleife circuit.
The Dutchman won on his debut, alongside Chris Lulham, despite some ‘bad luck’ in qualifying, as per Sky Sports.
Verstappen doesn’t want to emulate Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso and race in F1 into his 40s, instead hoping to focus on his other racing ambitions.
He’s now shared in an interview which race outside of Formula 1 is top of his priorities during his career.
Max Verstappen wants to win the Nordschleife 24 Hours and Le Mans
In an interview on the Team Redline YouTube channel, Verstappen was asked which race he would rather win, Le Mans in a hypercar or the Spa 24 in a GT car?
Verstappen answered: “I want to win both of them!
“It’s difficult to choose, but like, winning in a hypercar is really cool as well, but at the same time, like winning in a full GT3 field is also really cool.
“But probably if you have to pick between the two, probably Le Mans hypercar.”
When asked if he could only win one GT race in his career, which one would he like to win, the Dutchman simply said: “The Nords [Nordschleife] 24.”
Verstappen then was asked how much he enjoyed the Nordschleife race he did in 2025, and continued: “I mean, I had a lot of fun.
“I mean, first of all, the track is great. Like, everything was just really nice.
“And also the conditions as well. You know, you had a bit of rain in qualifying, where I think I scared you a little bit, right?
“I knew as soon as I went over the grass, I was like, I know the onboard is on, and people are watching it, and I was like, I’m sure that they are like s——- themselves right now.”
What are Max Verstappen’s racing plans outside of Formula 1 for the 2026 season?
Verstappen hasn’t yet confirmed which races he will be taking part in outside of F1 in 2026.
However, in the build-up to Christmas last year, Verstappen’s GT team announced that they would be switching to German manufacturer Mercedes in a multi-year deal.
Verstappen Racing will take part in the GT World Challenge Europe and the GTWCE’s Sprint Cup, although it will be Lulham behind the wheel in that competition.
A report from Autosport suggests that Verstappen is eyeing taking part in the Nurburgring Nordschleife 24 Hours this year.
Another story from Autosport suggests Verstappen has been given permission by Red Bull to take part in the contest, but he needs to take part in a preparatory race.
Unfortunately, this clashes with the F1 calendar and would need to be postponed by a week to avoid being held at the same time as the Chinese Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s presence would be a huge boost for the interest in the race, but whether they would be willing to move things around just so that Verstappen can try and qualify for the main event, which takes place between May 16-17, is yet to be seen.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen’s ‘cool’ company car worth £75k as Red Bull begin partnership with Ford
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