McLaren is accelerating its long-term project towards 2028. The team has already signed Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s race engineer, and is now reportedly aiming directly at the Dutch world champion himself.
After attracting key Red Bull figures like Rob Marshall, Zak Brown is strengthening the Woking-based team with proven championship-winning expertise. The push towards Verstappen is becoming increasingly concrete.
Speaking to FORMULA 1 Magazine, former driver Giedo van der Garde discussed how McLaren is aiming for total dominance in the coming years.
“Opinions don’t matter. Zak Brown, McLaren CEO, is a smart businessman who knows exactly what he is doing. Max’s move to McLaren is a concrete option. It is up to him and his management to choose the best deal: everyone wants him. McLaren has the advantage of Red Bull veterans like Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay, with whom they have already won.”
“It is a deliberate strategy to steal talent from rivals, like Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga,” van der Garde added. “Emotions don’t matter: Brown has no scruples and is focused on success with the right people. You can have the best driver, but without a competitive car you end up in the midfield. Just look at Red Bull.”
In summary, McLaren’s aggressive recruitment drive reflects a broader shift in the Formula 1 hierarchy as we approach the 2028 season. By systematically poaching the technical and operational pillars of the Red Bull era, Zak Brown is not only strengthening his own team but also creating a familiar environment for Max Verstappen to potentially transition into. This “Bayern Munich” approach to building a super-team suggests that McLaren is no longer satisfied with being a podium contender—they are positioning themselves to be the sport’s next undisputed dynasty.
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