A report from the Mail Online has claimed that Max Verstappen and McLaren have held preliminary discussions over a future partnership that could see the four-time world champion swap Red Bull for the papaya squad as early as 2027.
If true, the move would send shockwaves through the paddock. But, as with any report involving private contract negotiations and long-term driver market speculation, it should be treated with a very large grain of salt until further evidence emerges or the parties involved comment publicly.
According to the report, the early conversations revolve around the possibility of Verstappen joining forces with reigning world champion Lando Norris, creating what would arguably be Formula 1's most formidable driver pairing.
As for Oscar Piastri, the Aussie would move in the opposite direction to Red Bull, according to the Mail Online’s F1 reporter Jonathan McEvoy.
While no agreement is said to be close, the mere suggestion that McLaren believes it has a realistic opportunity to lure Formula 1's biggest star is enough to ignite speculation throughout the paddock.
The Lambiase factor and Red Bull's decline
Verstappen has repeatedly been linked with rival teams as Red Bull's competitive advantage has steadily eroded since its era of dominance.
Although the Dutchman remains contracted until the end of 2028, his deal is widely understood to contain performance-related exit clauses that could potentially allow him to leave before then.
The report also claims McLaren has quietly positioned itself for such an opportunity, with the signing of Verstappen's long-time race engineer Gianpiero "GP" Lambiase viewed internally as another factor that could strengthen the team's appeal in the future.
Despite the speculation, Verstappen has historically stressed the importance of loyalty towards Red Bull, the team that guided him from teenage prodigy to four-time world champion.
He has also previously spoken about the possibility of stepping away from Formula 1 altogether later in his career rather than simply moving teams.
Furthermore, McLaren boss Zak Brown went on record last April to shut down a Verstappen-to-McLaren fantasy.
"From McLaren's point of view, I couldn't be happier with Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri]," he told Sky Sports F1 at the time.
"We have long-term agreements with them, and I think it's the greatest driver pairing on and off the track. So we have no intention of replacing any of our two superstars."
Whether any of the reported discussions ultimately amount to anything remains to be seen, but with teams jostling for supremacy amid F1’s new era, Verstappen's long-term future is once again becoming one of the sport's hottest topics.
Crucial days ahead in Spielberg?
Asked ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix whether Red Bull's latest upgrades could prove decisive for his future, Verstappen insisted his priority remains improving the RB22 rather than contemplating what comes next.
"It is crucial, I think, for us as a team," Verstappen told reporters. "We want to just improve from where we started the season to where we want to end it.
"We know that we are lacking performance, so it's more about just trying to improve the car. I think that's what everyone wants."
The comments come after Verstappen admitted following the Spanish Grand Prix that Red Bull currently feels like the fourth-fastest team on the grid, a remarkable assessment for a squad that dominated Formula 1 only a few seasons ago.
While the Austrian outfit has continued introducing upgrades, Verstappen acknowledged there is still considerable work ahead before Red Bull can consistently challenge at the front again.
"Well let's see, right? Difficult to answer that right now. We, we don't like to be the fourth best team, so we want to be better," he said when asked how patient he is.
"That's what we are working on at the moment."
For now, the four-time world champion’s public focus remains firmly on helping Red Bull recover lost ground. But if the latest report proves to have substance, Formula 1's biggest driver market story may only just be beginning.
Read also: Verstappen ‘excited’ to debut new Red Bull upgrade in Austria
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