Verstappen wants to participate in the 24 Hours of Daytona in the future

Max Verstappen at the 24 Hours of Daytona? This is what is easy to imagine as the triple world champion of Formula 1 sat behind the wheel of a prototype for the very first time on Tuesday, in this case the Acura ARX-06. A car exclusively registered in IMSA and winner of the Florida classic in 2023 with the Meyer Shank Racing team.

The pilot Red Bull Could he take part in the American double-round-the-clock race as early as January 2025? After all, Acura has yet to announce a driver in the No. 93 alongside Renger van der Zande, Nick Yelloly and Álex Palou. The Dutchman has put an end to the fantasy. This is not about teasing for 2025 » This is what the main person concerned assured Road & Track:However, participation in the famous classic seems to be in his plans for the future.

Max Verstappen wants to go to Daytona to try to win

« I want to do this race in the future. It's just a matter of finding the time, with such a busy F1 calendar it's almost impossible because we finish so late in the season. (December 8, 2024. Editor's note), explains Verstappen. To prepare properly before going to Daytona is almost impossible. I want to go there and try to win, be really competitive. The only way to achieve this is to try and prepare well. It is not possible at the moment, but who knows? Maybe in a few years. I am still young. »

Max Verstappen driving the Acura ARX-06 – Photo: Acura

Verstappen seems to have enjoyed his first ride in a prototype. It was very nice, I already drove these cars a bit in simulator, but to have a first impression in real life was really cool. The sim helped me, I already had an idea of ​​how the car behaves. It's quite natural. Warming up the tires takes a bit longer when it's cold, but then it was very nice. I was trying to find the limits without overdoing it, because it was not necessary at all, and to have a bit of fun. »

A Formula 1 calendar too busy to come to the 24 Hours of Le Mans

In addition to Daytona, the 27-year-old driver reiterated his desire to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, who are " but it is currently very difficult to combine this with F1 ", Verstappen believes. "With the competition getting tougher, you can't split your time between F1 and prototype racing. For me, when I'm involved in something, I have to be well prepared."

While Daytona and Le Mans are of interest to the man who could become a four-time F1 world champion in Las Vegas this weekend, he is less tempted by the oval races and the Indianapolis 500. I have no desire to do the Indy 500, but I respect the drivers so much that they do it. » He nevertheless proclaimed his desire to « to drive a MotoGP, but I'm not allowed to. It's a little more dangerous. »

Verstappen is clearly keen to diversify, but we will probably have to wait until the end of his Formula 1 career before we see him try his luck in Endurance. " At the moment I have a contract until 2028. I will be 31. It is still very young, but I started F1 at 17. It is a long time. It will also depend on how the new cars will have to be driven from 2026. Will they be enjoyable? The number of races and the time away from home, it is quite demanding. Having a lot of success or not is not important to me. 

We will therefore have to wait a few more years to hope to see Max Verstappen at the start of the biggest endurance races in the world.

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