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Max Verstappen has once again reaffirmed his firm intention to take the start of the legendary 24 Hours of Spa as part of the GT World Challenge Europe. The race at Belgium's iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit is the most prestigious event for GT cars on the calendar and represents a natural progression following the Dutchman's appearances at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and the GT World Challenge Europe in Portimão this year.
The four-time Formula 1 world champion makes no secret of his passion for competing in select endurance events outside his demanding Grand Prix schedule. In May at the Nürburgring, he teamed up with Dani Juncadella, Lucas Auer, and Jules Gounon, leading the field into the closing stages before a technical issue robbed them of victory. Verstappen later joined the grid for the GT World Challenge Europe season finale in Portimão behind the wheel of his Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, where he finished ninth in the three-hour race alongside Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat.
However, the Dutchman's ambitions reach even further, as he once again confirmed his readiness to take on the endurance classic in the Ardennes.
“It is, of course, my favourite track, so I'm trying to find a way to make it happen,” Verstappen confirmed. “I just need to plan everything very carefully to arrive fully prepared. I'm also Belgian, so for me, it's great to be there and be part of one of the biggest endurance races of the year. I will do my absolute best to be on the starting grid.”
The 2027 24 Hours of Spa will take place between June 24 and 27 – slotting directly into the weekend between the Portuguese and British Grands Prix in Formula 1.
The race is one of five rounds on the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) calendar. The series unites five of the most prestigious endurance races worldwide and traditionally attracts top-tier GT teams and drivers. The championship kicks off with the Bathurst 12 Hour, visits the Texas 8 Hours and the Nürburgring 24 Hours, and concludes after Spa with the Suzuka 100km – the only round of the five that clashes with a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Verstappen is expected to limit his outings exclusively to the Nürburgring and Spa. Despite speculation in the Australian media suggesting interest in competing at Bathurst in February, sources close to the driver indicate that the event is not part of his plans.
All IGTC events are organized within the framework of regional GT World Challenge championships under the direction of Stéphane Ratel's SRO Motorsports Group.
“I've raced against some of the competitors before,” Verstappen commented regarding the quality of the field. “Some of them are a bit older than me, but they have achieved tremendous success worldwide across every possible category. The level is exceptionally high, and everyone knows it. That's why there are so many cars on the grid. We want to measure ourselves in one of the toughest championships out there.”
“Sharing a car with teammates is something I had practically never done before in my career,” he added. “I got my first taste of it on the Nordschleife, and I genuinely enjoyed it. It was thrilling for me to make my debut in the GT World Challenge.”
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