Sainz reveals Le Mans ambition, following Verstappen into endurance racing

Carlos Sainz has revealed his ambition to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans within the next 10 to 15 years, following Max Verstappen and other Formula 1 stars into endurance racing. Speaking on Williams' Team Torque podcast, the Spaniard said he hopes to land a seat in the elite hypercar category or even assemble a GT3 team with friends once his Grand Prix career concludes, trading the suffocating pressure of modern F1 for what he calls pure enjoyment.

Why it matters:

Endurance racing is rapidly becoming the preferred destination for active F1 talent rather than a post-retirement hobby. Sainz's comments reflect a seismic shift in how elite drivers view their long-term futures, with Le Mans now seen as a legitimate competitive frontier rather than a ceremonial farewell. With Williams still struggling to unlock performance under the 2026 regulations and Sainz facing persistent questions about his short-term outlook, his desire to eventually escape the F1 bubble signals a broader urge to reconnect with the uncomplicated joy of driving.

The details:

• Sainz made the admission alongside teammate Alex Albon on the team's official podcast, stating he sees himself competing in "some other category" once his time in Formula 1 ends.
• When asked about his bucket list, Sainz immediately singled out Le Mans, identifying the top-tier hypercar class as his ideal landing spot.
• He also floated the idea of building a GT3 team stacked with friends, suggesting the social element appeals just as much as the competition itself.
• Sainz explained that the draw is experiencing motorsport without the relentless obligation to deliver results for a massive organization, describing a future where he could simply "drive a car as fast as you can around a circuit."
• The 31-year-old added he would relish mentoring friends in a lower-pressure environment, underscoring how the modern F1 grind has shaped his post-career priorities.

What's next:

Sainz isn't packing his bags just yet. His immediate focus remains locked on dragging Williams up the order amid a deeply challenging 2026 campaign. Still, his Le Mans dream is now firmly part of the public record alongside Verstappen's well-documented desire to tackle the Sarthe. If current trends hold, the Circuit de la Sarthe could soon host an unprecedented concentration of Grand Prix talent within the next decade, giving endurance racing a new generation of star power drawn directly from the F1 paddock.