Max Verstappen responds to Daniel Ricciardo's Le Mans dream team call - Motorsport.com

Max Verstappen has responded to Daniel Ricciardo’s public suggestion that the two could form a Le Mans 24 Hours dream team, joking that Ricciardo is “a smart man” for choosing him. The four-time Formula 1 world champion confirmed that he and Ricciardo had already discussed the possibility of racing together at Le Mans, though he emphasized that any such endeavor would require “really good prep” and “the free time” he currently lacks due to his Formula 1 commitments and other projects. Ricciardo, who last raced in Formula 1 during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, revealed on the Beyond the Grid podcast that he would consider a one-off Le Mans entry but ruled out a full-season return. Verstappen, who competed at Portimao in a non-F1 event, said he would only participate in Le Mans if it were approached with “proper” preparation.

Ricciardo’s comments marked his first public discussion of racing again since leaving Formula 1, though Verstappen noted the idea was not new. “This is not new to me, of course. Yeah, we have spoken,” Verstappen said, adding that he and Ricciardo “talk about a lot of things in the background.” Ricciardo suggested a Le Mans collaboration could “give the people what they want” after their 2018 split at Red Bull, where they were teammates from 2016 to 2018. Verstappen acknowledged the potential for a “nice little Red Bull reunion” if Sebastian Vettel joined, but stressed that any Le Mans attempt would need to be “for a chance to win.”

Ricciardo’s Vision and Verstappen’s Conditions

Ricciardo described a Le Mans entry as a “one-off” opportunity, stating he “doesn’t see himself coming back for a whole race, like a season.” Verstappen agreed that such a project would only be worthwhile if it was “proper” and competitive, noting that “you need to be prepared really well” to challenge teams that specialize in endurance racing. The Dutch driver also highlighted that his current schedule, which includes “other things outside of Formula 1,” makes it difficult to commit to a Le Mans campaign.

Background on the Le Mans Proposal

The idea of a Verstappen-Ricciardo Le Mans pairing emerged after Ricciardo, during his Beyond the Grid podcast appearance, named Verstappen as his top choice for a dream team. Verstappen, speaking ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, joked that Ricciardo “is a smart man to choose me in the car” but added that “we have to see. It just depends on a lot of things.” The pair’s previous collaboration at Red Bull from 2016 to 2018 has fueled speculation about a potential return, though both drivers have stressed the need for careful planning.

Max Verstappen responds to Daniel Ricciardo's Le Mans dream team call - Motorsport.com — Photo: sports.yahoo.com

Verstappen also mentioned that he and Ricciardo had discussed the possibility of a Le Mans entry “one day” prior to the Australian’s podcast appearance, though he declined to elaborate further. “I don’t think we are the types that always need to share everything,” he said, indicating the conversation remained informal.

Ricciardo and Verstappen formed a popular partnership at Red Bull, according to sources. Verstappen, who competed at Portimao in a non-F1 event, finished ninth with his team, highlighting his interest in endurance racing. And at the moment I cannot do that.

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The unusual phrasing shows ongoing interest in collaborative efforts involving Verstappen.

Sebastian Vettel was also an option, with Ricciardo suggesting it could create a “nice little Red Bull reunion.” Verstappen acknowledged the possibility but reiterated that any Le Mans project must be “for a chance to win.”

Why not?” he said, emphasizing the need for proper preparation and competitiveness.

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