McLaren CEO Zak Brown says Max Verstappen would likely join Mercedes if he leaves Red Bull

McLaren CEO Zak Brown told Sky Sports F1 that if Max Verstappen ever leaves Red Bull, his most likely destination would be Mercedes. The prediction follows speculation sparked by his long‑time race engineer moving to McLaren.

Why it matters:

• Mercedes signing Verstappen would reshape the championship hierarchy, adding a proven title‑winner to the team.
• McLaren’s driver line‑up stays unchanged, yet losing a star could spark a domino effect across the driver market.

The details:

• Lambiase, Verstappen’s race engineer since 2021, is moving to McLaren, fuelling a driver‑engineer tandem shift.
• Brown said he’s asked Red Bull about Verstappen’s availability but is "content" with his current driver pair.
• Verstappen’s frustration with the new 2026 aero rules and Red Bull’s uneven start adds to the uncertainty.
• Brown summed up his view: "If I had to bet, I’d say to Mercedes," naming Mercedes as the most plausible landing spot.

What's next:

• Mercedes have not signalled interest, but they are the only team with resources to fully exploit Verstappen’s talent.
• Red Bull’s contract talks with Verstappen will be closely watched over the next few weeks.
• If a McLaren driver leaves, Verstappen could be the next big move, keeping the transfer market buzzing.