The foundations of Formula 1 are trembling. Max Verstappen could sign with McLaren for the upcoming season. That is the information published by the Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, very close to Verstappen and typically well-informed about his movements. In fact, there are even quotes from Verstappen’s manager regarding the matter.
Although Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, his contract includes a clause by which he could unilaterally break it if the results aren’t achieved, something that is currently happening. In recent days the Red Bull bosses summoned Verstappen to confirm whether he would stay, but the four-time champion did not do so.
Verstappen would replace Piastri at McLaren
A massive bombshell in Formula 1. Max Verstappen is considering leaving Red Bull to sign with McLaren. And it isn’t merely gossip. It is information published by Erik van Haren, one of the reporters closest to Verstappen, and it includes statements from the Dutch driver’s own manager.
According to this information, McLaren is Verstappen’s favored destination if he decides to leave Red Bull, a decision that has not yet been made. Although for months everyone has been talking about Mercedes as Verstappen’s destination, the four-time champion would view McLaren more favorably, the team that snatched the crown from him a year ago.
Verstappen could break his contract with Red Bull if halfway through the season he isn’t among the top two, something that now seems almost inevitable. Last week there was a meeting of Red Bull’s bosses, including the Thai investor Chalerm Yoovidhya, to have Verstappen confirm his continuity for 2027, something he has not done yet.
According to Raymond Vermeulen, Verstappen’s manager, “we feel at home at Red Bull, but Max was not born to race in the middle of the pack”. It’s true that Red Bull improved in Austria and we saw Verstappen on the podium, but for the moment McLaren leads him by 44 points in the standings and appears to be a stronger project.
In the event Verstappen signs, the driver who would depart from McLaren would be Oscar Piastri, who also has a release clause and tensions have surfaced between his manager, Mark Webber, and the McLaren leadership during the final stretch of the 2025 season. In fact, it wouldn’t be unusual if Piastri’s destination was precisely Red Bull.
Should Verstappen join McLaren, he would continue alongside Gianpiero Lambiase, his trusted associate at Red Bull who has already announced he will wear papaya in 2028.
Images | Red Bull
