Lando Norris could step away from F1 next season as world champion considers alternative event

LANDO NORRIS is considering a change of scenery from behind the wheel as he mulls over racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The reigning Formula One world champion finished third in the most recent race in Madrid after a poorly timed Virtual Safety Car dropped him from first to third. Lando Norris has not ruled out racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2027 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Norris completed a test in McLaren’s Hypercar last week Credit: Getty But following his unlucky finish in Spain, Norris swapped an F1 seat to give a McLaren hypercar a spin in Portugal. The Brit completed 38 laps around Portimao – which has been confirmed on the 2027 F1 calendar – while driving the MCL-HY. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! And following the announcement that McLaren would be returning to top-tier endurance racing in WEC’s Hypercar category in 2027, it sent speculation of Norris’ participation next year into top gear. However, the 26-year-old has now given his say on that possibility. Asked about the possibility of him racing in the iconic Le Mans race – one of motorsports Triple Crown events alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 – he told the Telegraph: “I’m not ruling it out. “But I’ve not even spoken about it with Zak. So, I mean, I don’t know when things would get announced. “It’s unlikely, just because I’m not prepared at the minute. But I definitely want to do it at some point.” The F1 season has a gap in its 2027 schedule where the Le Mans race conveniently falls on June 12-13, while the races either side are the conveniently close Monaco and Portugal Grands Prix. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS F1 2026 RACE CALENDAR: ALL THE INFO YOU NEED Norris’ F1 rival and friend Max Verstappen has already tried his hand at endurance car racing at the Nurburgring 24 Hours, which he appeared on course to win until a mechanical failure forced his team to retire. Reports emerged last week suggesting both Norris and Verstappen could make their Le Mans bows next year, making them the first F1 stars to do so since Fernando Alonso. However, Norris admits he would need to do a lot more testing to appropriately prepare for the event. He said: “It’s the same as when you get to a certain level in F1. “You want to be able to anticipate everything in every condition – wet, dry, inters, high downforce, low downforce… you want to build up the whole vocabulary of how to drive that car. “I would want to feel prepared. I don’t want to just jump in and feel like I’m wasting an opportunity. “I would only want to do it when I know it’s something I can win.” Norris added: “If I’m not fighting for a championship, then, of course, I’d be more likely to spend a bit of time doing things other than fighting for a championship… Norris has suggested his participation could depend on McLaren’s 2027 F1 package Credit: Splash The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of motorsports Triple Crown races Credit: Getty “Le Mans is much later than that. I would easily have a picture and an idea of how [competitive] it’s going to be by that point.” Norris’ Le Mans hint comes with the future of the World Endurance Championship at the track coming into doubt as a contract row between the FIA and organisers ACO. But a joint statement from both organisations to SunSport and other media said: “The FIA World Endurance Championship has enjoyed sustained growth since the introduction of the Hypercar and LMGT3 regulations, competing this season across seven countries. “This achievement is the result of extensive collaboration between drivers, teams, manufacturers, the FIA, the ACO, the promoter LMEM and the millions of fans who follow the championship. “The FIA and ACO are continuing discussions regarding an extension of the promoter agreement. “The current agreement with ACO remains in place until the end of 2027.” The best travel deals for F1 NOTHING comes close to the thrill of a live Grand Prix – and YOU can be there to see it all. Get the full F1 experience with these unbeatable deals. 🇪🇸 SPAIN – 11 to 13 Sept – From £1,099pp 🇦🇿 AZERBAIJAN – 22 to 27 Sept – From £1,399pp 🇸🇬 SINGAPORE– 7 to 14 Oct – From £1,999pp 🇺🇸 AUSTIN, USA – 21 to 26 Oct – From £2,799pp 🇶🇦 QATAR – 27 to 29 Nov – From £1,049pp 🇦🇪 ABU DHABI – 4 to 6 Dec – From £2,049pp See ALL our F1 travel offers HERE *If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. Comment now