Verstappen, Leclerc, Gasly… These F1 drivers who dream of the 24 Hours of Le Mans

After two editions during which the 24H of Le Mans took place out of step with the tests of Formula 1, this year 2025 marks the return of another particularly busy weekend for motorsport fans. Often lively, the Canadian Grand Prix will see the start given on Sunday evening, at 20 p.m. French time, and will not allow the 20 drivers on the grid to be present at Le Mans.

In recent years, while the World ChampionshipEndurance continues to attract new fans, as well as new manufacturers, like Genesis in 2026, or even McLaren In 2027, this renewed interest is also observed among drivers. Although endurance racing is not a goal for some active Formula 1 drivers, the 24 Hours of Le Mans seems to occupy a special place.

Verstappen and Alonso linked at Le Mans?

Attracted to many automotive disciplines outside of Formula 1, Max Verstappen would naturally be tempted to take the plunge one day in his career. Notably seen aboard a Ferrari 296 GT3 on the Nürburgring circuit the least last, the Dutchman wants to be curious, and already confided in 2023 his attraction for the Le Mans event. “Le Mans is definitely something I want to do. The atmosphere in endurance racing is fantastic. There are so many people, driving at night, the sunrise… I think it’s really cool!” he declared at an event organized by Honda.

"I spoke to Fernando about it. He said he would only do it again with me." added the pilot Red Bull. Double winner of the event with Toyota In 2018 and 2019, could the Spanish world champion take part in the race again alongsideAston Martin back in the discipline since the beginning of the year? For his part, Max Verstappen would certainly not be short of suitors if he were to make himself available in the coming years.

Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly with Ferrari and Alpine ?

In 2023, Ferrari made its grand return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Winner of the race twice, and undefeated since its return, could the great Italian team count on Charles Leclerc In the future? For the Scuderia driver, the answer is clear. Le Mans will one day be one of his tangible goals.

"I've always been a fan of Le Mans. For now, I'm focusing on F1, but if the opportunity arose, I would be happy to participate," the Monegasque admitted in 2023. Specifying a few months later that attempting the adventure with his brother would constitute a major career objective, Charles Leclerc still appears far from this project, but sees Ferrari dominating the debates of a 2025 season of WEC for the moment totally to their advantage.

Also riding on good momentum, Alpine Would it be tempted to dip into its Formula 1 pool? Present in the French manufacturer's garage for the 24 2024 Hours of Le Mans, Pierre Gasly had unfortunately witnessed the retirement of the brand's two Hypercars. However, this did not stop him from dreaming of taking part in the Le Mans classic with the aim of winning this event.

"I think it's every kid's dream. I've been watching this race since I was little, he confided to Eurosport. Actually, I lived in Le Mans for five years, I studied here, and I feel quite close to this city and this circuit. It would be a dream to win Le Mans one day. We'll see, for now I'm fully focused on Formula 1 and it's not really in the pipeline, but definitely seeing these guys, I hope that one day I'll be in a good car to compete in Le Mans."

Any other opportunities to look forward to in the paddock?

As Fernando Alonso, there are a few who have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans after, or even during, their Formula 1 career. In 2015, Nico Hulkenberg, then a Force India driver, had for example won the race in La Sarthe alongside Porsche, While Brendon Hartley, then a Toyota driver again this year, has two titles with the Japanese manufacturer, and one with Porsche as well. The Australian experienced Formula 1 with Toro Rosso from 2017 to 2018.

While Zak Brown, McLaren's current executive director, has never hidden his desire to line up Lando Norris et Oscar piastri at the start of this race in the coming years, confirming at the time that "they would very much like to go racing at Le Mans", the thinking logically leads to the arrival of many promising manufacturers in WEC. While the Woking team has formalized the development of its Hypercar with a view to 2027, the American director's desire could regain momentum in the long term.

In the meantime, there will be 16 former Formula 1 drivers taking the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025, with disparate ambitions on the starting grid.

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