Verstappen picks ideal teammate for Le Mans: 'You can compensate for me!'

During the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, several drivers are asked about whether they would like to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans one day. Esteban Ocon is the first to express his interest towards this race. His team, Alpine, is competing that weekend and Ocon will be present to support them.

Yuki Tsunoda then indicates that he would like to take part in the iconic race one day. Max Verstappen seizes this moment to express his preference. "Yuki, I need you as my teammate there. You're so light, you'll be flying. You can compensate for my weight!", Verstappen joked.

Verstappen would love to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The Dutchman continued that he definitely wants to compete one day. "For sure. I mean, I remember when I was like 11, 12 years old, my dad was racing at Le Mans in LMP2 and then LMP1 the year after. It is something pretty incredible. I mean, even at the time, you know, you're a young kid, but just the whole atmosphere is fantastic. And the team element of it, because it's not only you, right? You have to work together with your team-mates to try and find the right compromise with the set-up. So, yeah, I've been following it a lot here and there you have a few chats as well. But at the moment, I think it's too early for me to enter because the new regulations as well, I think they need to sort out the BOP a little bit better between the cars. Like, it's a bit hit and miss here and there, I find.''

Verstappen sees another problem for his participation. "Plus, for me, also the driver weight. I feel like there needs to be a limit on that, because I might rock up, 80 kilos with kit, but there is also a driver that can be 55 or 60. No offence, Yuki! And I find like, when you go to Le Mans, you have no chance. You know, that already is a couple of tenths a lap. It's pretty incredible, the difference. So they need to sort that out. There needs to be an average or minimum, you know, weight that you need to comply to. But for sure in the future, I would like to race. Yeah, it's an incredible event."

George Russell, Alexander Albon and Charles Leclerc also see themselves competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans after their Formula 1 careers. Although weight is a stumbling point for all of them. Only for Tsunoda is this not a problem. "I think I've found my dream job!'' the Japanese laughed.