Max Verstappen backed to 'impress' in prestigious race outside F1

Sebastien Buemi believes Max Verstappen would instantly be on the pace if he were to make the switch from F1 to endurance racing in the future.

The Swiss driver, who races in Formula E and WEC for Envision and Toyota Gazoo, respectively, sat down with RacingNews365 for an upcoming podcast episode*, where he explained why the four-time F1 drivers' champion would be "directly pretty impressive" if he turned his hand to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Verstappen has long spoken of his desire to compete in the famed race, which comprises one third of motorsport's prestigious triple crown, alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500.

The 27-year-old has even gone as far pick out who would form his fantasy line-up if he were to take the step, singling out Fernando Alonso and compatriot Nyck de Vries as the current drivers he would like to form his team with.

Known to be interested in a broad range of racing, including the virtual variety, the Dutchman recently caused a stir by taking to the Nurburgring Nordschleife under the pseudonym 'Franz Hermann' to complete some laps in a GT3 car, where he is reported to have broken the relevant lap record.

This led to the Red Bull driver procuring an 'platinum' rating from the FIA, opening the door for him to race not only GT3 cars, but endurance machines as well.

Buemi, who raced in F1 between 2009 and 2011 and is still a Red Bull development driver, feels Verstappen would also immediately adapt to the rigours of Le Mans, despite his complete lack of experience racing in endurance - physically, at least.

When asked how quickly he thinks the 65-time grand prix winner would adjust to the demands of the race at the Circuit de la Sarthe, the former Toro Rosso driver reflected on his own experience as a rookie to make his point.

"Directly. Absolutely directly," Buemi replied. "I mean, he's doing so much simulation. He knows the race already, very, very well.

"He knows the schedule, he knows how it works. When I got to Le Mans, I had watched it on TV a few times, but I didn't have much of an idea of how the weekend would go."

'No worry' from Buemi

Another driver Verstappen has always said he would like to complete alongside with is his father, Jos.

However, the former Benetton, Stewart, Arrows and Minardi driver has no interest in returning to endurance racing, having competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice, in 2008 and 2009.

"His dad obviously did it," Buemi added, before further explaining why he has no concerns about Verstappen's ability to meet the requirements straight away.

"He knows it perfectly, even if he's never taken part in the race. He knows exactly how the weekend will go and how it works. So I have absolutely no worry that he would be directly pretty impressive."

*The RacingNews365.com podcast episode with the full Sebastian Buemi interview is due to be released on Monday 9 June at 3pm UK (4pm CET). Check out the most recent episode below.