Verstappen to McLaren? Silly Season Hits Peak Fever at the Red Bull Ring
Speculation linking Max Verstappen to McLaren intensified at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix weekend after reports of preliminary talks emerged. McLaren categorically denied the claims, Red Bull TP Laurent Mekies deflected with a focus on car performance, and Verstappen's manager confirmed his client's preference to stay, provided Red Bull can supply a race-winning car.
The rumor that set the paddock alight
Formula 1's silly season flicked up a gear at the Red Bull Ring, with Max Verstappen, McLaren, and the broader driver market all in the thick of it. The trigger was a report from The Daily Mail, picked up widely across the paddock on Friday of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. According to that newspaper, Verstappen held initial, confidential talks with McLaren; the scenario floated would see the four-time champion pair up with Lando Norris to form a McLaren "dream team," while Oscar Piastri would move to Red Bull as part of a swap. [1] The report suggests this could happen as soon as next year, or potentially in 2028. [3]
The contract clause that makes it plausible
Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull through to 2028, but his contract contains an exit clause: should the four-time world champion be outside the top two in the Drivers' standings at the summer break, that clause would become active and allow him to leave at the end of the 2026 season. [3] Verstappen currently sits seventh in the championship, 101 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli after just seven grands prix. [5] When confirming that the exit clause is real, Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen said his client's first choice would be to stay with Red Bull, but also added that the four-time world champion "should have the opportunity to win." [4]
The McLaren connection
Unconfirmed reports have linked Verstappen's future to McLaren and Mercedes in recent weeks, with both teams making stronger starts under F1's new regulations than Red Bull; Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will also join McLaren in 2028. [2] Lambiase was confirmed to be joining McLaren "no later than 2028," where he will take up a role as Chief Racing Officer, with widespread speculation he will eventually become Team Principal. [5] McLaren chief Zak Brown has previously tested the waters on Verstappen's availability, admitting he made an unsuccessful approach for the Dutchman two years ago, when Verstappen was still dominant and Red Bull retained figures such as Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, and Helmut Marko. [3]
Denials and deflections
McLaren categorically denied to GPblog that such a swap is in the works. [6] McLaren has stated it is very satisfied with its current drivers, Piastri and Norris. [6] On the Red Bull side, team principal Laurent Mekies spoke directly to the rumor, expressing Red Bull's desire to end the speculation around Verstappen's future by providing him with a competitive car, telling media: "I think the last time I was in this press conference, I think I said that I'm not asking Max every week if he's going to stay." [5] Red Bull brought a significant upgrade package to their home race in Austria as part of their effort to keep Verstappen committed to the project. [4]
Related reading
- [1]Verstappen to McLaren? F1's 'silly season' is ramping up (formula1). Accessed 2026-06-28.
- [2]Max Verstappen will stay at Red Bull if competitive: 'There will be no discussion' (espn). Accessed 2026-06-28.
- [3]F1 News: Max Verstappen 'in talks with McLaren' about stunning team switch (gpfans). Accessed 2026-06-28.
- [4]Red Bull boss issues statement on Max Verstappen future as 'secret McLaren talks' revealed (gpfans). Accessed 2026-06-28.
- [5]Red Bull offer response to bombshell Max Verstappen-McLaren swap rumour (racingnews365). Accessed 2026-06-28.
- [6]'Verstappen in talks with McLaren, Piastri to Red Bull' (gpblog). Accessed 2026-06-28.
- [7]F1 Silly Season 2026: Max Verstappen, McLaren, every driver move and rumour (gpfans). Accessed 2026-06-28.