Source: Official Team Post via X
Max Verstappen Eyes 2027 Spa 24 Hours Amid F1 Commitments
Max Verstappen is determined to race in the Spa 24 Hours in 2027, fitting it into his busy Formula 1 schedule. The Dutchman has already dabbled in GT racing, showing a penchant for endurance events.
Max Verstappen has his sights set on the 2027 Spa 24 Hours, aiming to weave this iconic endurance race into his Formula 1 commitments. The Spa-Francorchamps event is a highlight of the GT calendar, and Verstappen's interest follows his participation in the Nurburgring 24 Hours and GT World Challenge Europe this year.
Verstappen is no stranger to mixing his F1 duties with selected GT events. Earlier this year, he joined forces with Dani Juncadella, Lucas Auer, and Jules Gounon at the Nurburgring, leading until a drive shaft mishap nudged them out of contention. Later, at the GT World Challenge Europe finale in Portimao, he finished ninth with teammates Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat in the Team Verstappen Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Looking ahead, Verstappen plans to tackle the Spa 24 Hours next year, a race he holds in high regard. "It’s my favourite track, of course, so I’m trying to make it work," Verstappen noted. "I just need to plan it all well so that when I arrive, I'm well prepared. Being part Belgian, it’s nice to be there for one of the biggest endurance events of the year. I’m going to try my best to be there."
The 2027 Spa 24 is scheduled for June 24-27, conveniently nestled between the Portuguese and British Grands Prix. It’s one of five rounds in the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC), a series that attracts top-notch teams and drivers. Next year’s IGTC kicks off with the Bathurst 12 Hour, followed by the Texas 8 Hour and Nurburgring 24 Hours. The series wraps up at Suzuka, though that event clashes with the F1 calendar, limiting Verstappen's appearances to Nurburgring and Spa.
Despite some Australian media murmurs about a potential appearance at February’s Bathurst 12 Hour, Verstappen is reportedly not considering it. All IGTC rounds are part of regional GT World Challenge competitions, renowned for their competitive fields.
Verstappen acknowledges the high level of competition in GT racing. "Some of them I have raced already in the past," he said, referring to his GT World Challenge competitors. "Some are a little older than me, but they have achieved a lot in every category. It’s a very high level, and everyone knows that. That’s why there are so many cars on the grid."
The Dutchman relishes the opportunity to share a car with teammates, a relatively new experience for him. "Sharing the car with teammates is something I haven’t really done in my life so far," he added. "Of course, I got a taste at the Nordschleife, and I really enjoyed that."
Verstappen’s familiarity with the grid extends back to his early career. "In go-karting, we raced a lot against each other," he reminisced about Ben Barnicoat. "It’s good to catch up and now share the car."
He also expressed pride in Chris Lulham, a driver he supported from sim racing to real-world competition. "Chris is someone I’ve worked with for a long time in sim racing, and now for him to be racing here in the real world… it’s just every race making progress, getting better, gaining experience, and showing yourself among all the big boys in the paddock."