Verstappen to McLaren? Why There Could Be Truth to the Rumors

Max Verstappen's future at Red Bull is under serious threat as McLaren has emerged as his most likely destination for 2027. The four-time champion sits seventh in the 2026 standings, 58 points shy of second place, placing him in danger of triggering a contract exit clause before the summer break.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's internal upheaval has stripped Verstappen of his closest allies. The exits of Adrian Newey, Rob Marshall, Jonathan Wheatley, and Helmut Marko, alongside Christian Horner's sacking, have eroded the foundation of his success. Combined with the team's inability to consistently deliver a winning car since mid-2024, the Dutchman is increasingly weighing alternatives.

The details:

• The exit clause: Verstappen can leave for 2027 if he sits outside the top two at the summer break. With three races remaining, he trails George Russell by 58 points.
• Suitors fall away: Mercedes' interest has cooled thanks to Kimi Antonelli's dominant 2026 start, while Aston Martin's regulation switch has made them the grid's slowest team.
• The McLaren pull: Recent talks were initiated by Verstappen's camp, not McLaren. The arrival of race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase in 2028—potentially as team principal—adds serious appeal, as do back-to-back constructors' titles.
• Brown's caveat: Zak Brown stopped short of ruling it out, noting his drivers are happy but conceding that if a seat opened, "Max is a four-time world champion."

What's next:

The upcoming races at Silverstone, Spa, and Budapest will likely decide Verstappen's fate. Red Bull showed promise in Austria, but unless that pace translates into consistent wins, the Dutchman's route to McLaren may become impossible to ignore.