Why History Casts Doubt on Verstappen's Potential McLaren Switch

Rumors linking Max Verstappen to McLaren have reignited a classic Formula 1 dilemma: should a champion walk away from the team that shaped his career? While the prospect of pairing the Dutchman with reigning champion Lando Norris is tantalizing, history reminds us that even the sport's greatest names often found the grass was not greener after leaving a winning environment.

Why it matters:

Verstappen has spent nearly a decade at Red Bull, winning four consecutive titles and becoming the central pillar of its winning culture. A move to McLaren would force him to reset in a team where Norris has already cemented his status, all while the 2026 regulations continue to reorder the competitive landscape. It is a career-defining decision with no shortage of risk.

The details:

• Michael Schumacher left Ferrari in 2006 and returned with Mercedes in 2010, but managed just one podium across three seasons before retiring just before the team's dominant hybrid era began.
• Sebastian Vettel departed Red Bull after four titles to chase a championship with Ferrari, securing 14 wins but never the crown before an acrimonious exit in 2020.
• Fernando Alonso endured a similar fate at Maranello, falling agonizingly short of a third title despite 11 victories and two runner-up finishes during his five-year spell.
• Lewis Hamilton offers the most recent cautionary tale. After 12 seasons with Mercedes, his Ferrari switch produced a winless 2025 campaign, though he has rebounded strongly in 2026 with a Barcelona victory and a sustained title challenge.

The big picture:

McLaren currently fields one of the strongest packages on the grid, but past precedent suggests that even elite talent faces a steep learning curve when changing teams. The excitement of a new project rarely eliminates the growing pains that come with it.

What's next:

Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull, and any move hinges on his exit terms and McLaren's long-term prospects under the 2026 rules. As the championship battle heats up this summer, the Dutchman must weigh whether the temptation of a fresh start is worth risking history repeating itself.