Making their WEC hypercar debut in 2027, Ford have said they are open to a future collaboration with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen in endurance racing, with the four-time world champion tipped as an ideal candidate to participate at races like Le Mans, where the American manufacturer has not competed for overall victory in nearly 60 years.

Speaking to GPblog, Director of Ford Performance Mark Rushbrook, when asked whether Verstappen would be considered for a hypercar run at Le Mans in the future, responded: “That would be a great combination." Despite the 24 Hours at Le Mans, and other endurance races, regularly clashing with F1 Grand Prix weekends, Rushbrook teased: “We'll see what the schedules look like for 2027 or beyond."

Verstappen's love affair with endurance racing is no secret. The Dutchman has increasingly participated in GT races in the last year or so, taking part in several NLS races already in 2026, and he is set for 24 Hours at the Nurburgring next weekend. The Red Bull driver has also expressed a desire to race at Le Mans on multiple occasions, as well as the GTWC 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc had his say on the 2026 regulation tweaks introduced at the Miami GP, defending this year's regulations against with the common complaint they have created 'artificial' racing.

Speaking to media, including GPblog, after the race, where the Monegasque finished P8 following a 20-second penalty, Leclerc said: “The battles in itself, I don't think those changed massively. In qualifying, some things changed. Then the regulation will remain the regulations. I mean, we cannot do a revolution in the middle of the year. But it was a step on the right direction. A little bit, yes. It was a little bit better to drive naturally."

Focusing more closely on the wheel-to-wheel racing, Leclerc defended the 2026 rules, arguing against the likes of Verstappen, who has likened the racing to something out of ‘Mario Kart’.

Leclerc said: “I’ve always disagreed a little bit with that. I know I'm a bit of an outsider on the grid but I felt that at least for the fights I've had with the guys in front, when you’ve got cars that have a system in a similar way to yours, actually the overtaking is really good. It's a bit more strategic than last year.”