Lando Norris confirmed that a collaboration with MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans would be a “Hell yeah” if the opportunity comes.
Goodwood sparks Le Mans ambition
During the Festival of Speed, the 26‑year‑old McLaren driver and Rossi – now 47 and racing the GT‑category WEC – found themselves on the balcony of Goodwood House, supported by Monster Energy. The duo quickly discussed the idea of joining forces at the French endurance classic.
Norris said the chance to share a car was “an honour, for sure, and it would be a lot of fun.” Rossi added, jokingly, that he’d “try to wait for Lando,” highlighting the current priority of F1 for the pair.
McLaren’s prototype drives the future
The day also saw Norris test a selection of vehicles, including the McLaren MCL‑HY Hypercar prototype. That machine marks the team’s strategy to return to the World Endurance Championship and Le Mans in 2027.
With McLaren building its endurance programme, Norris sees a realistic route to the race: “There are too many races, but when McLaren enters Le Mans, maybe next year… no, not next year, maybe in a couple of years.” This builds a pathway for Norris to translate his F1 expertise into the longest race on the calendar.
2026 season context
After securing the 2025 Formula 1 championship at Abu Dhabi, Norris now faces a reduced–performance car under the new regulations. He sits fifth in the drivers’ standings after nine rounds, amassing 97 points. The backdrop gives weight to the Le Mans conversation, showing that, even with a challenging season, the driver remains focused on future endurance opportunities.
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