Andrea Stella jokes about Max Verstappen joining McLaren: “When the FIA introduces a third car”. McLaren committed to Norris and Piastri despite Verstappen rumours.

Speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s future continues to circulate throughout the Formula 1 paddock, but McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has made it clear that the Woking-based squad has no intention of changing its current driver line-up. Speaking with a touch of humour, Andrea Stella joked that Verstappen would have to wait for the FIA to introduce a third car before there would be room for him at McLaren.

No room for Verstappen in the papaya team

While MotoGP is experiencing a dramatic rider market that will reshape much of the grid, Formula 1 remains relatively stable. Between the 2025 and 2026 seasons, many drivers chose to wait before making long-term decisions, wanting to understand how the competitive order would evolve under the new regulations. Even now, with ongoing power unit developments and aerodynamic upgrades, it remains difficult to predict how the balance of power will develop.

The only clear benchmark at the moment appears to be Mercedes. However, even there, no seats seem to be available, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli now firmly established within the team and George Russell reportedly close to extending his contract.

Charles Leclerc has already committed his future to Ferrari, although his contract renewal has been followed by a difficult run of form that began around the Canadian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Red Bull is expected to secure Max Verstappen’s future as well, especially after the Dutchman returned to fighting at the front with a strong performance in Austria.

The upcoming arrival of Gianpiero Lambiase at McLaren in 2028 has only fuelled further speculation that Max Verstappen could eventually follow his long-time race engineer to Woking.

However, in an interview with Corriere della Sera, Andrea Stella dismissed that possibility with a light-hearted response.

“What would I say to Verstappen? I’d tell him to wait until the FIA introduces a third car. If a four-time world champion really knocked on our door, we’d take it as a very strong sign of our attractiveness and credibility, just as it was with Gianpiero. But not now, because we have Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and we’re very happy with this combination.

We believe in developing our own drivers. Two key members of that programme are Italian: Leonardo Fornaroli, who is our Formula 1 reserve driver, and Matteo De Palo, who is currently racing in Formula 3.”