Lando Norris keen to follow Max Verstappen into endurance racing after F1

Lando Norris has confirmed he would “love to” emulate Max Verstappen in contesting other racing series once he is done with Formula 1. 

A fortnight ago Verstappen raced a Porsche GT4 at the Nordschleife in the Nurburgring Endurance Series to obtain a licence which allows him to race GT3s at the ‘Green Hell’. 

On Saturday the four-time F1 champion will make his GT3 race debut at the Nordschleife aboard a Ferrari 296, as Verstappen has long spoken of his passion for endurance motorsport. 

His Nurburgring adventure was put to F1 drivers ahead of last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand prix, and Norris revealed sportscar endurance competition is something he is interested in.

The McLaren driver may even have an easy route into it, as the Woking-based company will enter the 2027 World Endurance Championship with a shot of overall victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours. 

“I would love to,” said Norris, who has already contested the Daytona 24 Hours, doing it with Fernando Alonso and Phil Hanson in 2018 a year before joining F1. 

#23 United Autosports Ligier LMP2, P: Phil Hanson, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso

Photo by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Images

“I saw Zak [Brown, McLaren CEO] spoke about it the other day with Le Mans as well, with McLaren going to Le Mans. I would love it.

“I'm not going to be in Formula 1 forever. I want to go and do other things and live my life – try other things, you know.

“I'll enjoy my time in Formula 1. Whether it's a mix at some point of also doing some of the other races, I'm not sure. Or it might be when I retire from F1 that I try to do other things.

“I loved doing Daytona. I did it with Fernando, so it was a cool experience for me at the time. But whether it's Le Mans or Daytona or Sebring, whatever it might be. I want to go do other things. I think the main thing I probably will never do is oval racing, just not for me.”

Norris added that it would have to be the right time for him to race other championships, as he is in a battle with team-mate Oscar Piastri for the 2025 F1 title so all focus is on that.

McLaren is also expected to keep fighting for future championships, should all go to plan, whereas Verstappen has not been in this year’s title battle despite winning the last four. 

#980 Lionspeed GP, Porsche Cayman GT4 - Max Verstappen, Chris Lulham

Photo by: Nürburgring GmbH

“I respect Max for going and doing such a thing, he's in a much easier position to go and do those things,” added Norris.

“If he's fighting for a championship and those kinds of things, it probably wouldn't look the best. But he's in a position where he's also won four world championships. So, it's a bit of an easier time than maybe what me and Oscar do at the minute.

“But certainly in my future, I'll go and do it. Because I think I have the same want and desire as Max to go and do other things and just go do whatever I enjoy.”