Max Verstappen says he desires to pursue endurance racing in the longer term, but admits his focus is solely on Formula 1 as he’s on the verge of winning a fourth consecutive title.
The 27-year-old Dutchman took part in Honda's “Hybrid Heroes” celebration at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Tuesday, where he got his first taste of GTP machinery behind the wheel of an Acura ARX-06.
Under the supervision of Colin Braun, who drives the Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) automotive within the IMSA SportsCar Championship, Verstappen set out for an almost half-hour run on a road course estimated to be roughly 2.3 miles long.
During a roundtable with chosen media, Verstappen was asked by Motorsport.com if the chance teases the concept of ​​competing in an endurance classic, he replied: “Yes, it's not about teasing or anything like that. I do know I would like to do that in the longer term, but it surely's nearly finding the time.
“With such a decent F1 schedule, it's almost inconceivable because we finish the season so late after which properly preparing for the race at Daytona or anywhere else is virtually inconceivable.
“I do know when I would like to do it, I would like to go on the market and check out to win and be really competitive. The only technique to do that is to pass the suitable tests and prepare very well, which shouldn’t be possible on the championship moment.
“But who knows? Maybe in a couple of years. I'll still be young and I'll have the opportunity to drive cars.”
Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing
Photo: HRC
David Salters, president of Honda Racing Corporation, said Verstappen would all the time have the chance to compete within the 24 Hours of Daytona.
“I think the door is always open for Max Verstappen,” Salters told Motorsport.com exclusively. “It's Max Verstappen! He is already certainly one of the best racing drivers of all time. Let's see what he can achieve.
“We have an incredible relationship with Max. Let's see what happens, but he's a busy boy. But the door is all the time open for Max Verstappen.”
The Red Bull Racing driver's only previous experience with GTP machinery was on a simulator, which helped limit the steep initial learning curve.
“To feel it for the first time, of course there are some slow corners,” Verstappen said.
“The car really comes alive at higher speeds, which was more at the back of the track. But it was very nice. I drove these cars a bit on the simulator, but the first impression in real life was difficult and really cool.”
Verstappen then noted that “it felt quite natural” when he first got behind the wheel, however the cold conditions took longer for the tires to warm as much as optimal temperature.
“I tried to find the limits step by step, not overdoing it,” he said, “because it's not necessary at all and having fun doing it.”
When asked about his desire to race within the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Verstappen said it was a challenge as a consequence of the demands of the present F1 schedule.
“Yes, but I think it's very difficult to combine it with F1 at the moment,” he said. “Especially as everything becomes more and more competitive, you can't split your time between F1 and GTP. At least for me, when I compete in something, I have to be well prepared.”
