Brown insists McLaren ‘not in the market’ for Max Verstappen

The speculation surrounding the future of Max Verstappen in F1 refuses to disappear – but Zak Brown insists McLaren is not preparing a blockbuster move for the Formula 1's superstar.

With rumours continuing to swirl around Verstappen’s future beyond his current Red Bull contract, the McLaren Racing CEO has once again been asked about the possibility of the four-time world champion wearing papaya in the years ahead.

His response? A mixture of humour, admiration and a firm reminder that McLaren is already extremely happy with its current line-up.

Verstappen remains tied to Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, but uncertainty surrounding the team’s competitiveness has fuelled speculation that he could consider alternatives earlier.

Reports last week of potential discussions between Verstappen’s camp and Mclaren have only intensified the paddock intrigue.

Brown, however, insists McLaren’s focus remains firmly on the drivers already delivering results for the team.

‘It’s flattering’ – but McLaren has no vacancy

After a story published by the Daily Mail ahead of last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix claimed that Verstappen’s management had initiated a private conversation with McLaren, Brown responded with a playful remark that did little to calm the rumours.

“If for some strange reason someone slipped on a banana peel getting out of the tub, then yeah, of course, Max is a four-time world champion,” he said in Spielberg.

But when asked again about the situation during a Heart podcast, Brown made it clear that McLaren is not actively searching for a replacement for its current pairing of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

“We’re a hot team. It’s a great place to be. We’ve got two awesome drivers in Lando and Oscar, so no intention of seeing a different line-up. But it’s flattering,” he said.

"The phone rings often, and he’s a massive talent, so we’ll see what the future holds, what he ends up doing, but I know what our plan is – it’s to keep going with what we’ve got.”

McLaren’s confidence comes from a period of sustained success, with Norris and Piastri forming one of the strongest driver partnerships on the grid. Brown believes there is little reason to disrupt a combination that has already delivered major results.

Still, the McLaren boss acknowledged that a driver of Verstappen’s calibre is impossible to ignore completely.

‘We’re not in the market’ – but McLaren is watching

Brown admitted that any leading team must remain aware of developments across the driver market, even if it does not currently intend to make a move.

“Any time you’re in sport, you’ve got to know what the market is doing, but we’re not in the market,” he said.

“We need to pay attention because you never know, but Lando and Oscar won 14 for us last year, and I’m looking forward to the next 14.”

The Verstappen speculation comes at a pivotal time for Red Bull. Team principal Laurent Mekies previously suggested that the squad’s major upgrade package could play an important role in determining the Dutchman’s future.

Verstappen’s second-place finish in Austria offered some encouragement, with the driver admitting Red Bull had made a significant improvement. Whether that progress is enough to secure his long-term commitment, however, remains one of Formula 1’s biggest unanswered questions.

• Read also: Verstappen to McLaren? Bombshell report says talks took place!

For Brown, the qualities required from a McLaren driver go beyond raw speed.

“The quality of the person, because they set the culture for the racing team,” the American explained.

“That’s a pretty intense environment, so you need to get the right sort of character. Clearly, speed, talent, bravery…all that stuff you need.

“We don’t go racing without out fans, so having drivers that are very fan-centric and fan friendly, and the same with sponsors, that’s critically important to being the full package.”

For now, McLaren’s message is clear: Verstappen may be one of the greatest talents in Formula 1, and his availability will always attract attention, but the team believes it already has the ingredients for continued success.

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