According to former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert, Max Verstappen could consider an unexpected move away from Formula 1 in 2027, potentially joining McLaren’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) programme as part of a broader career strategy.
The former driver’s hypothesis
Following a disappointing Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen did not completely rule out the possibility of stepping away from Formula 1 — even if only temporarily — amid growing frustration with a category he no longer seems to enjoy as much as before.
The four-time world champion has a contractual clause that could allow him to leave Red Bull during the summer if he is not in first or second place in the Drivers’ Championship. Given the current level of competitiveness shown by the Red Bull RB22, that scenario no longer appears so unlikely.
In the United Kingdom, speculation has already begun to place Verstappen outside the Formula 1 grid for the 2027 season — by his own choice. According to Herbert, McLaren could be ideally positioned to offer the Dutch driver exactly what he might be looking for.
A McLaren WEC programme as a potential pathway
At the centre of this theory is McLaren’s Hypercar project in the World Endurance Championship, which could provide Verstappen with a fresh challenge outside Formula 1.
Herbert believes that such a move would not necessarily represent a full departure from single-seater racing, but rather a strategic pause combined with a different type of competitive experience.
“It’s positive to see Formula 1 drivers competing in other categories — Fernando Alonso was a new ‘pioneer’ in that respect,” Herbert told Vision4Sport. “Verstappen could consider the idea of racing in WEC in 2027 with McLaren, which has a Hypercar programme, maybe even just the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
A possible return to Formula 1 in 2028
The scenario outlined by Herbert does not end with endurance racing. Instead, it suggests a potential return to Formula 1 in 2028, possibly with McLaren, aligning with a new phase in the team’s technical and management structure.
“Then in 2028 he could return to Formula 1 with the aim of bringing McLaren back to the top,” Herbert added.
Such a move would coincide with the potential arrival of Gianpiero Lambiase at McLaren as Chief Racing Officer, creating a new environment that could appeal to Verstappen from both a sporting and strategic perspective.
A changing Formula 1 landscape
While this scenario remains speculative, it reflects the evolving nature of modern motorsport careers. Top drivers are increasingly open to exploring different categories, balancing personal motivation with competitive opportunities across disciplines.
Verstappen’s situation at Red Bull, combined with the team’s current struggles, has inevitably fuelled these discussions. Whether or not such a move materialises, the idea itself highlights how fluid the future of Formula 1’s biggest names can be.
Final analysis
Johnny Herbert’s comments offer an intriguing perspective on what could be one of the most unexpected career moves in recent Formula 1 history. A temporary switch to endurance racing, followed by a return to F1, would represent a bold and unconventional path.
For now, it remains a hypothetical scenario. But in a sport where performance, motivation, and opportunity are constantly evolving, even the most surprising possibilities cannot be entirely ruled out.
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