Daniel Ricciardo has floated the idea of pairing the pair with Max Verstappen for some Le Mans 24 Hours come out with a joke on Verstappen about him being a “smart man” to have chosen him for his ‘dream driver team’. But the four-time Grand National champion has stated that any endurance racing endeavour would need to be well prepared and coincide with a opportune moment.
It was an idea that was conceived during Ricciardo’s appearance in the Beyond the Grid podcast. The former Red Bull racer said he’d be up for Le Mans’ infamous 24 hours race and expressed his hope for a pair of teammates in the showdown he’d prefer to see: Verstappen and another ex-team mate, Sebastian Vettel.
Since holing up after Formula 1 last year, Ricciardo hasn’t run a series again while at Red Bull’s sister team, RB. He may not be in a race anymore, but his recent comments make that such an option has not been eliminated.
When Ricciardo was asked about his dream partners for Le Mans he wasn’t slow to instantly say the name of Verstappen. He also mentioned that they were in contact with each other when they were at Red Bull in 2018, when they discussed what they might do next with regards to racing.
Nothing would delight fans more than a car making a return to the Le Manse, said Ricciardo who proposed that it might be an option. The concept of gathering three former Red Bull racers for one of the world’s longest distance championships would certainly have them captivated.
Verstappen gave an interview ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix where he mentioned Ricciardo’s remarks. The Dutchman replied with some wit: ‘It was a good choice, Ricciardo.
He actually added that a deal would rely on a number of things, though, a deal would be possible soon. Verstappen has wanted to run in Le Mans in the past but this time it isn’t because of the experience of doing the race.
The Red Bull rider would have to be prepared.
Verstappen said he wants to represent himself well in the 24-hour race, if he takes the decision to participate. It’s being ready, familiar with the car and the team to then undertake such an demanding event.
As it stands, he is currently unable to spare much time in creating a large Le Mans project due to racing elsewhere in F1.
The Dutchman has already begun his foray into racing outside of Formula 1. He’s had to balance his F1 duties with taking part in GT racing events such as this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours and the GT World Challenge knockout race in Portimao.
The experiences have proved his interest in various forms of motorsports. But racing at Le Mans would involve additional preparation and responsibility not just because the race is 24 hours long – but because the drivers have to do more than one stint in the same car.
Verstappen also admitted he wasn’t new to the concept for Ricciardo to run in Le Mans. Ricciardo is simply making it open information for the public, but the two former team-colleagues had been having a discussion about the possibility before then.
He said that they don’t have to share any of their conversations with journalists. They have met regularly to discuss various topics on the back deck, and one of those projects is endurance racing.
Ricciardo also knew his corner’s thoughts about getting back to the sport. The Australian doesn’t seem to be feeling the need to return to a tournament circuit full-time but it may be suitable for one-off events.
That makes Le Mans an interesting possibility. The event is a big challenge without calling for a full season of racing; however, there are still preparations that would build up into a major challenge.
Verstappen feels there is one thing both are certainly willing to say: they would want a “real chance of victory. Simply turning up for the event would not be enough.
Drivers and teams that spend a season preparing for endurance driving would have to have a decent programme to compete with. Right car, right team, right timing and preparation would all be key.
It continues with the interesting element of Sebastian Vettel joining Ricciardo in his dream team. Having retired from F1 at the end of 2022 after four F1 world championships, the l ADDITIONAL YEAR retired duo of Verstappen and Ricciardo are more than suitable to be partnered in Red Bull Presents but their legacy is further enhanced by the Champions’ racing experience at the team’s base in the Dutch city.
What’s for now, however, is more of a possibility than a definite plan. Verstappen has stated that he hasn’t committed to a Le Mans drive and Ricciardo has only said that he’s interested in a future race.
Timing will be key. There are several commitments to Formula 1 and GT racing to answer to in the case of Verstappen and regular preparation following a hermitlike stint away from competitive racing has to be done in the case of Ricciardo too.
Nonetheless, the idea of Verstappen, Ricciardo and Vettel sharing a car at Le Mans is an intriguing one. Together they would be a talking point of the potential driver packages in endurance racing.
So Verstappen’s words would appear to be saying: I am interested in it, but it is something that can’t be sniffed about. At the right time and place, the Dutchman might be tempted to make Ricciardo’s dream team a reality.
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