F1, Max Verstappen – McLaren: The noise is becoming deafening
According to several reports, Max Verstappen could be on the verge of completing a sensational move to McLaren as early as next season.
Rumors emerging from the Formula 1 paddock suggest that negotiations between Max Verstappen and McLaren have entered their final stages. Multiple sources, including PlanetF1, claim that the Dutch driver is close to making a decision on a switch away from Red Bull, despite public denials from McLaren CEO Zak Brown. Verstappen has become the central figure in this year’s driver market, with discussions reportedly focusing on the details of a potential three-year contract.
Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but his agreement reportedly contains an exit clause linked to his position in the Drivers’ Championship. The rear wing issue he suffered at Silverstone is said to have mathematically eliminated any possibility of finishing the first part of the season inside the top two of the standings. According to the reports, remaining in the top two would have been necessary to prevent the clause from becoming active, potentially allowing him to explore opportunities elsewhere.
In June, Verstappen travelled to Red Bull’s headquarters in Austria for meetings with the company’s leading shareholders, including Mark Mateschitz and Chalerm Yoovidhya. During those discussions, the team reportedly sought reassurances over his commitment beyond 2027 and even attempted to buy out the exit clause in his contract—an offer that Verstappen is said to have rejected.
That refusal reportedly created tension within Red Bull. According to the speculation, Mark Mateschitz would now be open to ending the partnership, while CEO Oliver Mintzlaff is believed to favour keeping Verstappen with the team through at least 2030.
Internal tensions at Red Bull and key personnel changes
At the heart of the situation is the issue of loyalty. Red Bull believes it has given Verstappen exceptional freedom and financial rewards throughout their decade-long relationship. On the other hand, the Dutch driver’s camp is said to have lost confidence in the team despite the management changes introduced last year following Christian Horner’s departure.
The exit of several key figures has gradually dismantled the close-knit environment that welcomed Verstappen as a teenager when he joined Red Bull in 2016.
Paul Monaghan is currently serving a period of gardening leave ahead of a move to Cadillac, while Gianpiero Lambiase is expected to step down as Head of Racing and Verstappen’s race engineer at the end of the season before joining McLaren.
According to reports, these developments have influenced Verstappen’s thinking to such an extent that Dutch sources are not even ruling out the possibility of either a sabbatical season or a complete retirement from Formula 1.
McLaren’s interest and the positions of Zak Brown and Oscar Piastri
Among all the teams linked with Verstappen, McLaren has emerged as the strongest candidate. Speaking at Silverstone, Zak Brown said: “I haven’t really thought about it because I already have two drivers. So what I couldn’t offer him is a seat in my race car. But I think McLaren is a fantastic team.”
Brown also added that every Formula 1 team provides an excellent environment while highlighting the strength of his own organisation.
Oscar Piastri, whose seat has been identified as the one that could potentially be at risk—while Lando Norris’ position appears secure—was equally relaxed when asked about the speculation.
“It doesn’t really mean much to me. Obviously Max Verstappen is the talent that he is… I’ve been told many times that the team is happy with me, and I trust them. I also have a contract in place. I’m simply trying to build on the success I’ve already achieved.”
Despite his existing contract, reports suggest that Piastri’s position in the championship after Silverstone could make him vulnerable to a contractual option available to McLaren. Should Verstappen arrive, the most likely scenario would reportedly see the Australian move directly to Red Bull as part of a driver swap.
Why McLaren is an attractive destination
Beyond offering a car capable of competing at the same level as Red Bull, McLaren could also reunite Verstappen with several familiar faces. Among them is Technical Director Rob Marshall, with whom he previously worked at Red Bull, while Gianpiero Lambiase could reportedly take on an even more senior position within the Woking-based team, potentially even becoming team principal in the future.
McLaren’s growing involvement across multiple categories of motorsport would also open the door to opportunities beyond Formula 1, including a future programme in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar category.
Officially, the door remains closed. However, sources close to the negotiations reportedly believe that an agreement could be approaching. The Formula 1 paddock is now waiting for decisive developments over the coming weeks, with the date on which Verstappen’s contractual exit clause could become active rapidly approaching after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
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