Verstappen to McLaren? Report Says 2027 Talks Took Place

A new report claims Max Verstappen has held preliminary talks with McLaren over a 2027 move. The rumored deal would see the four-time world champion partner reigning world champion Lando Norris, while Oscar Piastri potentially heads to Red Bull.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's future at Red Bull has become a pressing question as the team's competitive edge has dulled, with the Dutchman recently admitting the squad feels like the fourth-fastest on the grid. Any realistic chance of him switching to a resurgent McLaren would reshape F1's driver market and shift the championship battle.

The details:

• The Mail Online claims early conversations occurred regarding a 2027 move, though no agreement is close and the story remains speculation.
• Under the rumored framework, Verstappen would join Norris to form arguably the strongest lineup, while Piastri would depart for Red Bull.
• McLaren's signing of Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero "GP" Lambiase is viewed as a strategic move that could sweeten the deal.
• McLaren CEO Zak Brown dismissed the idea last April, insisting he was committed to his current pairing and had no plans to replace either driver.

What's next:

Verstappen remains contracted to Red Bull through 2028, but performance-related exit clauses are believed to exist. For now, his focus is on the Austrian Grand Prix and helping the team recover with its latest RB22 upgrades. If Red Bull cannot deliver soon, speculation around his future will only grow.