Max Verstappen’s long-term deal with Red Bull runs until the end of 2028, but behind the scenes discussions about his future are already heating up. Ford Racing’s global director Mark Rushbrook has confirmed that regular conversations are taking place with the four-time world champion about expanding his racing career into sports cars, including the possibility of joining Ford’s Hypercar program.
Ford made its return to Formula 1 as an engine manufacturer for the 2026 season and is partnered with Red Bull Powertrains to supply both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls. That partnership has opened the door for closer collaboration beyond F1, with Ford keen to leverage Verstappen’s profile and talent in endurance racing.
Verstappen, now 28, remains under contract with Red Bull until the close of the 2028 campaign. However, reports suggest his agreement includes performance-based exit clauses that could allow him to walk away earlier if results fall below a set threshold. The timing of these talks is notable, as Verstappen is currently enduring one of his tougher starts to a season. After four races, he sits seventh in the drivers’ championship, 74 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli. Red Bull are also struggling in the constructors’ standings, sitting fourth and well off the pace.
Outside of Formula 1, Verstappen has been steadily building his reputation in endurance racing. Last year he received his FIA Platinum licence, making him eligible for top-level sportscar events. He made history as the first reigning F1 world champion to compete in another series in 42 years when he won on his GT3 debut in the Nürburgring Endurance Series. He is now preparing for this year’s 24 Hours of Nürburgring, a race that has become a major focus for him away from F1.
Rushbrook confirmed that Ford is actively exploring ways to involve Verstappen in its sportscar plans. Speaking to http://Motorsport.com, he said, “We have regular conversations with him about the possibilities of doing more in sports cars, including Hypercar.” On Verstappen’s motivation, Rushbrook added, “He is a racer, he wants to race.”
Ford is set to compete in the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship next year, marking a major step up from its current LMGT3 program with the Ford Mustang GT3 Evo. Verstappen’s growing interest in GT3 and endurance racing makes him a natural fit for that project. Over the past 12 months, he has driven a range of cars around the Nürburgring, including a Ferrari 296 GT3, a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, and a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS, building experience across different platforms.
Rushbrook was clear about Ford’s admiration for the Dutch driver. “We love Max, we love what he does in the Formula One car, on the track,” he said. “We appreciate him off the track as well. He is a great person, just as much as he is a great driver. We love his passion for racing in GT3, the way he does it, and what he does with developing drivers through sim racing and getting them onto the track.”
The comments underline how Verstappen’s appeal extends far beyond F1. His commitment to sim racing and driver development has earned him respect in the sportscar world, and Ford sees him as both a competitor and an ambassador for its racing programs.
For now, Verstappen remains tied to Red Bull, but the existence of exit clauses and his clear enthusiasm for endurance racing suggest his options are open. Whether those talks with Ford lead to a race seat in Hypercar, or remain exploratory, they signal that Verstappen is preparing for life beyond F1, even while still at the peak of his single-seater career.
With Red Bull’s 2026 form under scrutiny and Ford looking to make a statement in endurance racing, the relationship between Verstappen and the American manufacturer is one to watch closely over the next two seasons.
