Verstappen-McLaren rumours intensify as Red Bull admit Silverstone failures

Rumours of Max Verstappen moving to McLaren are gathering serious momentum, with paddock sources suggesting the Dutchman is in the closing stages of negotiations to leave Red Bull. The speculation follows a difficult British Grand Prix where Red Bull principal Laurent Mekies conceded Verstappen was "right not to be happy" after the team sent its drivers to the gravel in high-speed corners for two consecutive races.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's exit would be the biggest driver market move in years and could instantly reshape the championship fight. McLaren has established itself as a genuine title contender, and securing him would create a formidable line-up. Mekies' blunt admission that Red Bull "let down" its drivers underlines the technical slump eroding confidence at Milton Keynes and giving Verstappen every reason to look elsewhere.

The details:

• Sources indicate Verstappen and McLaren are in advanced talks over a potential switch, with negotiations reportedly nearing completion.
• Mekies described the Silverstone failures as "extremely unpleasant" and insisted the team is working to ensure it never happens again, though he admitted they have not yet solved the problem.
• Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur called Lewis Hamilton's five-second false-start penalty "harsh," arguing that sensors showed no car movement despite slight tyre rotation visible on video.
• Carlos Sainz voiced growing concern at Williams, stating that despite shedding weight, the team continues to lose ground to the front runners and is failing to find the expected lap-by-lap pace.

What's next:

Red Bull is under immense pressure to fix its high-speed corner issues and restore Verstappen's faith before the summer break. If the team cannot deliver immediate improvements, McLaren looks well placed to capitalise on the unrest and complete a blockbuster signing that would send shockwaves through the paddock.