Le Mans is one of the most prestigious races on the motorsport calendar because it is a test of endurance.
Drivers, typically in teams of three, will race for 24 hours in stints that could last up to nine hours each, effectively completing an entire Formula 1 season’s worth of racing in just one day.
Few drivers have successfully transitioned from other racing series to Le Mans, largely due to reliability issues or the physical toll it takes on drivers.
Max Verstappen has previously expressed interest in racing in Le Mans, having done some sports car racing outside of his F1 activities in the past.
But Damon Hill was left surprised by one statement made by the four-time world champion on when he expects he will be able to compete in the blue-riband event in the future, when speaking in a post on Instagram.
Damon Hill left surprised by Max Verstappen admission about racing Le Mans
Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull in F1 until at least 2028, and although there are certain performance clauses attached to this, it is presumed that he will stay with them shortly.
Le Mans currently clashes with the Canadian Grand Prix on this year’s calendar, although that could change in the future after recent tweaks to the calendar regarding the Monaco GP, which is set to be staged later instead of its normal end-of-May slot.
Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen has said Red Bull could let Verstappen race Le Mans, believing the Dutchman has the power to convince them to say yes.
The Dutchman has cited his age potentially being a potential limitation for when he could eventually take part in the race in an interview with Autosport: “I want to do Le Mans. I have a contract [in F1] until 2028. I’ll be 31 years old at the end of it. That is still very young.”
Hill responded on Instagram, writing: “Like, I didn’t get into F1 until I was 32 [years old] and I’d already done Le Mans!”
READ MORE: The three drivers Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso should approach as part of their perfect 24 Hours of Le Mans team
Current F1 drivers who have won Le Mans
Out of the 20 drivers currently on the grid, only two of them have won Le Mans outright in their careers so far.
Fernando Alonso is the most recent winner, having taken victories back-to-back in the 2018 and 2019 runnings of the race with Toyota.
The Spaniard had taken part in the race in 2018 alongside his F1 duties at McLaren, but in 2019, he would leave the team after difficulties and win the race with Toyota during his sabbatical.
The only other driver to win the race was Nico Hulkenberg, who took victory with Porsche in 2015 while also racing with Force India in F1.
The win was significant, as it ended Audi’s 13-race win streak and was the first victory for an active F1 driver since Johnny Herbert in 1991.
