Verstappen deeply impressed by Le Mans winner after missed F1 opportunity

Kubica won the endurance classic in 2025 with the #83 AF Corse Ferrari Hypercar, alongside Yifei Ye and Phil Hanson. It marked a particularly special highlight for the former Formula 1 driver, whose career took a dramatic turn in 2011 due to a severe rally accident. Fourteen years later, he became the first Pole to stand on the top step of the overall podium at Le Mans.

Verstappen believes that without that accident, Kubica could have achieved much more in Formula 1. “It’s special. Robert was a fantastic driver, and of course he still is,” he told, among others, GPblog. “He had an enormous amount of talent. If you ask anyone here in the paddock, or people who used to race against him, I think everyone will say he was destined to achieve much more in Formula 1. Unfortunately, then that accident happened.”

The four-time world champion is known for his interest in other branches of motorsport. Outside of his own race weekends, he regularly turns on the TV for other championships, notably the GT World Challenge Europe in which his own GT3 team competes. As a result, he has been able to follow how Kubica has developed in the world of endurance racing.

“Seeing him race in hypercars now is fantastic. I still follow the WEC a lot and watch his races and how he’s doing. Winning Le Mans is of course a dream for everyone. It was really great to see him achieve that,” said Verstappen, who has made no secret of his interest in competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He has already had a brief test in the Acura Hypercar, but a serious test is still pending.

Lando Norris took a concrete step toward gaining more hypercar experience just last week. As reported by GPblog, the Brit tested the McLaren MCL-HY in Portimão on the Monday after the Spanish Grand Prix. With that car, McLaren will appear on the WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans grid in 2027. Norris helped during the test by gathering data and providing feedback for the car’s further development. His presence was therefore more than just an introduction, although the test does not yet mean he will actually compete at Le Mans next year.

A personal entry at Le Mans remains an attractive prospect for Verstappen as well. The 2027 F1 calendar at least allows for it: the 24-hour race takes place on June 12 and 13, between the Monaco and Portuguese Grands Prix. The race weekend itself therefore does not clash with his Formula 1 commitments, but that doesn’t solve everything. The official test day on Sunday, June 6, does coincide with the Monaco Grand Prix.

In addition, Verstappen would need to secure a seat with a team and free up sufficient preparation time. Ford could offer an opportunity, but the American manufacturer has already announced its Hypercar lineup. A 2027 entry is therefore a possibility, but not yet a confirmed plan. For now, he speaks mainly as a highly engaged follower who wholeheartedly applauds Kubica’s remarkable success.