Ford in 'Regular Discussions' with Verstappen About Hypercar Drive

Ford Performance director Mark Rushbrook has confirmed that the company is in "regular discussions" with Max Verstappen about the possibility of the four-time F1 champion driving its future LMDh Hypercar in the World Endurance Championship. While no concrete plans are in place, Rushbrook expressed admiration for Verstappen's racing passion and acknowledged the value he could bring to the program.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's potential involvement in Ford's Hypercar project would mark a significant crossover between F1's top star and the growing popularity of endurance racing. With Ford returning to the top class of WEC in 2027, having a driver of Verstappen's caliber — even for a single race — could elevate the program's profile and technical development.

The details:

• Rushbrook confirmed "regular discussions" with Verstappen about Hypercar opportunities, including a potential Le Mans overall win bid.
• Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until end of 2028, making schedule conflicts a major hurdle. Most years the F1 calendar clashes with Le Mans.
• Ford's LMDh prototype is set to begin testing later this year, with a full WEC campaign starting in 2027.
• Verstappen will drive a Mercedes-AMG GT3 at the Nürburgring 24 Hours next week, showing his genuine interest in endurance racing.

What's next:

Rushbrook emphasized there is "nothing" planned for the near future and declined to announce anything. However, he praised Verstappen's exceptional feedback and development skills, noting that having such a driver — "even if only for one race" — would be "pretty meaningful." The door remains open for a future collaboration if schedules align.