Max Verstappen reportedly in discussions with McLaren
Max Verstappen has reportedly entered early discussions with McLaren regarding a potential departure from Red Bull, reports BritPanorama.
The discussions are said to revolve around a remarkable swap arrangement that would see Oscar Piastri head in the opposite direction to the Milton Keynes outfit. Should such a deal materialise, it would unite Verstappen with Lando Norris, forming a formidable partnership of world champions at the Woking-based team.
However, McLaren has firmly denied that any negotiations are currently underway, categorically stating that a swap is not being discussed. The British constructor has consistently maintained satisfaction with its existing driver pairing, although speculation continues that Piastri may seek a team where he could be the clear lead driver.
Verstappen’s interest in a move comes amid a challenging 2026 campaign for Red Bull, where he currently occupies seventh place in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli by 101 points as the season progresses. Red Bull’s competitive edge has significantly waned since their dominant stretch of four consecutive titles between 2021 and 2024.
Despite being under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, it is understood that his agreement contains exit provisions that could allow for an earlier departure. A source has indicated, “It’s an idea McLaren is keen to pursue. If it happens, it could be in 2028, but it might even be earlier.”
Verstappen’s reported salary at Red Bull stands at approximately £80 million annually. Additionally, the recruitment of Gianpiero Lambiase by McLaren adds another dimension to the speculation surrounding Verstappen’s future, with Lambiase set to join the team following his gardening leave from Red Bull.
Lambiase was pivotal during Verstappen’s championship-winning years as his race engineer, and their radio exchanges became one of the sport’s most recognisable partnerships. With Dr. Helmut Marko’s departure from Red Bull last year, another trusted figure has been removed from Verstappen’s support network.
Regardless of team dynamics, Verstappen’s long-term commitment to Formula 1 remains uncertain. The Dutch driver, who will turn 29 in September, has previously suggested that he may retire younger than contemporaries such as Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso. His frustrations with the sport’s shift towards half-electric power units also reflect his concerns about the direction of Formula 1.
Any potential movement involving Verstappen could have significant consequences across the grid, but the likelihood of him joining certain teams appears limited.
As the summer break beckons and negotiations swirl, the intrigue remains about where Verstappen will race beyond 2026 — a matter that will only amplify as the Grand Prix calendar unfolds.
