Aston Martin wants to take Verstappen to Le Mans

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Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer says there's "a conversation to be had" with Max Verstappen about taking the Red Bull charger to Le Mans in the future.

Aston Martin's Valkyrie hypercar, which ran its first laps at Silverstone last week, will lure the British manufacturer back to Le Mans from 2021 when the World Endurance Championship ushers in a new era based on hypercar concept regulations.

Given the commercial collaboration that currently exists between Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin, Palmer would love to see Verstappen join the team's Le Mans line-up at some point in the future.

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"Philosophically or theoretically I'd love to have him involved [at Le Mans]," Palmer told Autosport.

"He's not formally involved but it's not ruled out either. That's a conversation to be had in the future. But wouldn't it be great?"

Aston's Valkyrie is the product of an partnership between the manufacturer and Red Bull Racing, with design guru Adrian Newey heavily involved in the hypercar's concept.

Looking ahead, the two companies plan to remain connected, on a technical or commercial level.

"We've got momentum now, we know where we're heading. And if you get little successes they turn into big successes and into huge successes," added Palmer, referring to Aston Martin's quest to become once again a great British institution.

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"Then somehow things just start to happen. Think about the [British Grand Prix] weekend – you've got Red Bull, Max Verstappen, we shouldn't ignore Pierre [Gasly] as he did a great job, you've got Daniel Craig and 007, Aston Martin, all in one space.

"Imagine trying to orchestrate all that a few years ago. That would have been something impossible.

"And the cherry on the cake is running the Valkyrie. These are things you look back on in your career and think 'that was a day, wasn't it!'."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.