F1 Drivers Who Have Competed in Other Racing Series

Max Verstappen is set to expand his racing horizons this year by competing in the Nurburgring 24 Hours during May 2026, marking his latest foray into endurance racing while remaining an active Formula 1 driver. The Red Bull driver, who already holds four World Championships, announced his participation following a successful GT3 debut at the Nurburgring Nordschleife in September 2025, where he claimed victory. This move places him among a growing list of current F1 drivers who have pursued success in other racing series without stepping away from their Formula 1 commitments.

Verstappen Joins Elite Group of F1 Drivers Racing Elsewhere

Verstappen’s decision to race in the Nurburgring 24 Hours aligns him with several other active Formula 1 drivers who have recently competed in different disciplines. According to a Formula 1 feature published in March 2026, Fernando Alonso stands out as a recent example of a driver who excelled in another series while still racing in F1. During the 2018 season — the final year of his second stint with McLaren — Alonso competed in the World Endurance Championship for Toyota Gazoo Racing. Partnering with Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima, he won the opening round at Spa-Francorchamps and followed it with victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Alonso and his team went on to secure both the Drivers’ Championship and the LMP1 Championship that year, and he later claimed a second Le Mans win in 2019 during his sabbatical from Formula 1.

Other Current F1 Drivers Exploring Different Series

Beyond Alonso and Verstappen, additional current F1 drivers have participated in other racing categories. Lance Stroll has also tried his hand at different forms of motorsport, though specific series and results were not detailed in the available reports. The trend reflects a broader interest among top-tier drivers to seek new challenges and maintain versatility across disciplines, even while competing at the highest level of single-seater racing.

Historical Context of Cross-Series Participation

The practice of Formula 1 drivers racing in other series is not new, but recent years have seen a resurgence in high-profile participation. While past legends like Graham Hill succeeded across multiple disciplines — including Formula 1, endurance racing, and the Indianapolis 500 — modern drivers are now able to balance such endeavors with demanding F1 schedules due to adjustments in calendars and increased support from teams. Verstappen’s Nurburgring 24 Hours attempt, Alonso’s Le Mans triumphs, and Stroll’s forays into other categories illustrate how today’s drivers are using off-weekends and seasonal breaks to test themselves in varied environments.

As the 2026 Formula 1 season progresses, Verstappen’s participation in the Nurburgring 24 Hours will be closely watched not only for its outcome but also as a potential indicator of whether more drivers will follow suit in pursuing dual-series campaigns. His September 2025 GT3 victory at the same venue provides a strong foundation of confidence heading into the endurance race.