McLaren boss doesn't rule out Verstappen move

McLaren team boss Zak Brown said he would not completely rule out a future move for Max Verstappen, responding to reports that McLaren has discussed the four-time world champion’s availability for 2027 or later. Brown rejected the idea that either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri could leave soon, noting both are “very happy” and under long-term McLaren contracts. He added that Verstappen’s potential interest would depend on contract timing, since Verstappen has performance-related clauses in his Red Bull contract allowing him to exit after this year rather than at the end of 2028. The report references recent conversations involving Verstappen with Red Bull leadership and ESPN sourcing that he left talks without assurances of staying beyond 2026. Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen said the goal is competitiveness, not midfield racing. The article also notes Verstappen finished second after a Red Bull upgrade package helped at least as Sunday’s race, and that Verstappen’s longtime engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is scheduled to join McLaren in a leadership role in 2028.