Max Verstappen Awarded FIA Platinum License for Endurance Racing

Newsweek

2 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen acquired a high-level FIA license, which will allow him to compete in different kinds of races.
Verstappen has long spoken about his desire to compete in endurance racing, specifically the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
There are several different levels of license for these races, including bronze, silver, gold, and platinum.
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 30, 2025 in...
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. More
Photo byBefore the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, Verstappen revealed that he had applied for it a couple of weeks ago and was surprised when he managed to notch the platinum level.
"I applied because at some point I was going to have to do it anyway, so it was better to just get it over with," Verstappen told reporters.
"It's super easy. It's just a form. You fill it out, you pay, and a week later you get a response."
On his first try, he got the highest level, which will allow him to compete in those high-level endurance races that he has sought to race in.
Verstappen jokingly said he was surprised to get platinum status: "I was actually hoping for a bronze license! Maybe I'll appeal the platinum license to at least get a silver one, but I don't expect that."
As a Formula 1 driver, he already has a superlicense to compete in F1, which automatically grants him a platinum FIA license when he applies.
There are five other drivers that also have this high-level license: Fernando Alonso, Franco Colapinto, Nico Hulkenberg, Lando Norris, and Lance Stroll.
Verstappen has previously done a secret GT3 test at the Nurburgring, which could indicate his interest in potentially doing the Nurburgring 24 Hours on top of Le Mans.
Max Verstappen doing it again.
Qualifying P2 in F1 and now currently in the simulator leading the iRacing Nurburgring Endurance race 😎 pic.twitter.com/MSaaCjj34r — Pablo Araujo (@PabloGz) May 17, 2025
The race in Le Mans happens during the same race weekend as the F1 Canadian Grand Prix. Verstappen would likely need to retire to pursue the race, given that he would miss out on an entire race weekend.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has deflected when asked if he would be willing to let his driver compete in other races while under contract at Red Bull.
"It would be very difficult to take that away from him," Horner said. "But of course, the focus has to remain on his main job... it's out of the question for him to skip a race."
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, on the other hand, has been more willing to allow Verstappen to pursue other ventures during the fall.
"First of all, I find it remarkable that someone who is a four-time world champion has to be classified. But alright, totally fair: if you want to make Max smile, start talking about GT racing.
"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."
There are some legitimate fears from Red Bull about whether other drivers would race him harder because of his name.
"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," Marko said.
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