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McLaren move for Verstappen? Speculation grows
Despite being under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, Max Verstappen's future remains one of the biggest talking points in Formula 1. Fresh reports suggest the reigning world champion is in advanced talks with McLaren, adding further fuel to speculation over a possible move.
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Despite being under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, Max Verstappen's future remains one of the biggest talking points in Formula 1. Reports suggest the reigning world champion is in advanced talks with McLaren, adding further fuel to speculation over a possible move.
Red Bull has endured a difficult spell in recent weeks, with questions growing over both the team's performance and Verstappen's long-term future. The Dutchman suffered crashes on two consecutive race weekends following issues with the rear wing, while reports have also suggested tensions behind the scenes.
Another significant development is the expected departure of long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, who is reportedly set to join McLaren. His move has only intensified speculation that Verstappen could also be considering a switch to the Woking-based team.
Although Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, his deal is widely believed to include a performance-related exit clause that could allow him to leave under certain conditions. Sitting seventh in the championship, he is currently outside the positions Red Bull would have hoped for at this stage of the season.
According to PlanetF1, Red Bull even attempted to persuade Verstappen not to activate the clause by offering improved terms, but the Dutchman reportedly rejected the proposal, increasing uncertainty over his future.
Mercedes had long been viewed as the most likely destination if Verstappen were to leave Red Bull. However, PlanetF1 now reports that McLaren and Verstappen are in the final stages of long-running discussions, potentially making the British team the leading contender for his signature.
Should such a move happen, McLaren would likely have to part ways with one of its current drivers. Oscar Piastri has been mentioned as the most likely candidate, with speculation suggesting he could head in the opposite direction and join Red Bull. None of the parties involved has commented publicly on the reports.
