Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, has recently secured an FIA platinum race license, a credential that opens doors for him to compete in prestigious endurance events including the Le Mans 24 Hours. This development follows his GT3 test outing with Emil Frey Racing at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, where he competed under the alias Franz Hermann, fueling speculation about his interest in the Nürburgring 24 Hours as well.
Verstappen confirmed he had applied for the license two weeks before the Spanish Grand Prix, pointing out the straightforward nature of the process. The license categorizes him at the highest level within the FIA system, affirming his qualifications for endurance racing beyond Formula 1.
Criteria Behind Verstappen’s Automatic Platinum Classification
The FIA assigns a platinum rating to Verstappen due to his Formula 1 superlicense status, which places him in the top driver category by default. While all F1 competitors are eligible, only a select few have pursued and secured such licenses, including names like Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, Lando Norris, and Lance Stroll.
Besides F1 superlicense holders, drivers who achieve top-five finishes in major championships such as the World Endurance Championship (WEC), IndyCar, or Formula E also qualify for a platinum rating. Drivers showing skills on par with existing platinum holders may be similarly recognized.
The Purpose and Scope of FIA Licensing in Endurance Racing
Introduced in 2015, the FIA driver classification system ensures fair competition in series and events where teams field multiple drivers, such as the Le Mans 24 Hours, 24 Hours of Daytona, and 24 Hours of Spa. The license requirement balances teams by grouping drivers of similar skill levels and experience, avoiding mismatched driver lineups within the same class.
Holding this license theoretically qualifies Verstappen to race in endurance events across multiple series, an ambition he has openly shared, despite some reservations from Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner. Calendar clashes and the demanding nature of F1 make concurrent participation difficult, particularly as races like Le Mans overlap with F1 rounds such as the Canadian Grand Prix.
Challenges to Competing at Nürburgring 24 Hours and Other Races
The Nürburgring 24 Hours imposes additional requirements due to the circuit’s complexity, which combines the Nordschleife with the Grand Prix layout. Prospective drivers must complete orientation sessions, attend classroom training, and compete in two Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) races with clean conduct to earn the Permit A needed for GT3 class entry.
Although the Nürburgring 24 Hours does not conflict with the F1 calendar in 2024, Verstappen entered too late to participate in the required NLS races, making his immediate participation unlikely. Exceptions to these rules are rare and have been denied even to racing legends such as Valentino Rossi.
Verstappen’s Involvement with GT3 and Prospects for the 24 Hours of Spa
Verstappen is connected with the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup through Verstappen.com Racing, which fields an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and has entered the 24 Hours of Spa, one of the premier GT3 endurance races. Multiple drivers, including Thierry Vermeulen, Chris Lulham, and Harry King, are listed for the team’s Gold Cup entry, which limits teams to a specific driver rating composition.
Since Verstappen holds a platinum license, he automatically cannot compete in a Gold Cup lineup unless the team moves up to a higher classification. Even then, Pro teams can only select up to three drivers, and the 24 Hours of Spa clashes with the Austrian Grand Prix, reducing the chance of his participation. Horner has expressed support for Verstappen exploring racing outside F1, but the F1 schedule remains the priority.
“It would be very difficult to take that away from him,”
said Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team boss.
“But of course, the focus has to remain on his main job… it’s out of the question for him to skip a race.”
—Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Principal
Potential Opportunities for Verstappen to Race Beyond F1 Later This Year
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s driver advisor, acknowledged Verstappen’s passion for GT racing and suggested that opportunities for him to race outside Formula 1 might become available in the autumn season once the current F1 championship goals are clearer.
“At the moment, the focus is clearly on Formula 1. We want to win this world championship. But I think in the fall, opportunities will arise – and I assume Max has already looked into that carefully. Of course, he’ll need our permission for it.”
—Helmut Marko, Red Bull Driver Advisor
“Yes, he will. After all, a GT car is relatively slow. I’m only afraid that if he actually joins a race, everyone will feel the need to prove themselves – and that they’ll make things unnecessarily difficult for Max.”
—Helmut Marko, Red Bull Driver Advisor
The Prospect of Racing Together with Father Jos Verstappen
Max has expressed desire to compete at Le Mans with his father Jos Verstappen, who is a former F1 driver but currently holds a gold license rather than platinum. This downgrade is due to Jos’s extended period of inactivity in motorsport and his age upon return, in line with FIA classification rules.
Jos, who has stayed active in rallying, remains skeptical about their shared Le Mans debut, citing performance differences between him and Max as a major concern.
“I’m rather critical about it. I’m way too slow for him,”
Jos stated earlier this year.
“That’s why I’d rather rule it out for now.”
—Jos Verstappen, Former F1 Driver
If a joint entry at Le Mans occurs, it would likely be in the Hypercar category, reserved for manufacturer-backed teams or those with fixed driver lineups, limiting chances for guest drivers. Another option could be the LMP2 class, which competes only at Le Mans in the WEC but excludes bronze-rated participants in the top-tier Hypercar category.
The LMGT3 class would not be feasible for the Verstappens, since it requires having at least one bronze-rated driver among the teammates.
The Broader Impact of the FIA Platinum License on Verstappen’s Motorsport Future
Securing the FIA platinum race license establishes Max Verstappen as eligible to compete at the highest levels of endurance and GT racing globally, expanding his opportunities beyond his current dominance in Formula 1. While logistical challenges and scheduling conflicts stand in the way of immediate participation in marquee endurance events, the license confirms his intention to pursue these ambitions seriously.
This move also highlights a potential pathway for Verstappen’s career once he retires from Formula 1, giving him access to elite racing series such as the World Endurance Championship, IMSA SportsCar Championship, or the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Verstappen’s transition could inspire other top-tier racers to consider endurance racing as a next step, bridging the gap between single-seater and sports car racing disciplines. Meanwhile, his involvement will likely intensify interest and competition within the endurance racing community, elevating the profile of these events internationally.
