Could Ricciardo and Verstappen Team Up for Le Mans Adventure?

Daniel Ricciardo is contemplating a return to the racetrack, this time not in the high-octane world of Formula 1, but at the storied 24 Hours of Le Mans. It's been more than two years since Ricciardo bid farewell to F1, his career coming to an abrupt end after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix when Red Bull replaced him with Liam Lawson. Despite announcing his full retirement in 2025, Ricciardo is now entertaining the idea of a one-off race in the endurance event, provided his reasons are genuine and not driven by nostalgia or ego.

In a candid chat on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Ricciardo reflected on his F1 exit, calling it "therapeutic." At 36, he's not closing the door entirely on motorsport, though he remains uninterested in a full racing schedule. Instead, he's considering a single race venture like Le Mans, where the camaraderie of sharing a car with teammates appeals to him—particularly if those teammates include Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.

Ricciardo is cautious, however, about reigniting his competitive fire. He doesn't want to rush into a decision that might be more about proving something to others than fulfilling a personal desire. "A year ago, I would have said I would never put a helmet on again," he admitted. "But there’s something there where I’m like, it’d be nice to finish my racing career a bit more on my terms." The idea of racing at Le Mans, he says, could provide the closure he seeks, especially if shared with drivers he respects.

When asked whom he'd like to team up with, Ricciardo mentioned Verstappen, highlighting their enduring friendship and Verstappen's known interest in endurance racing. Verstappen has dabbled in endurance events through his Verstappen Racing GT3 entry, even coming close to a win at the Nurburgring 24 Hours before mechanical issues intervened.

Verstappen, speaking in Mexico, responded warmly to Ricciardo’s idea but pointed out the logistical challenges, particularly the time commitment required for proper preparation. "Yeah, he’s a smart man to choose me for the car!" Verstappen joked. "But we have to see. It just depends on a lot of things."

While both drivers seem intrigued by the prospect, the timing and preparation would need to align perfectly. Verstappen stressed that any such endeavor would need to be executed with the aim of winning, which means competing against seasoned endurance racers who spend an entire season honing their craft.

Ultimately, whether Ricciardo and Verstappen will join forces at Le Mans remains uncertain, but the idea has certainly captured the imagination of fans. It would be a fitting chapter for Ricciardo, allowing him to close his racing career on a high note, surrounded by friends and former rivals, in one of motorsport's most revered events.