McLaren Shuts Door on Max Verstappen Swoop, Brown Says

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has shut down any speculation that the team is eyeing a move for Max Verstappen, insisting the current driver pairing is locked in. With Verstappen's future at Red Bull under question due to his demands over F1's 2027 engine regulations, Brown made clear that McLaren's door is closed.

Why it matters:

Verstappen is widely regarded as the grid's top talent, and his potential availability would usually trigger a bidding war. Brown's definitive stance signals that McLaren believes it already has the best driver lineup for the long term, even as Verstappen's contract uncertainties create ripple effects across the paddock.

The details:

• Verstappen has said he could leave F1 if the 2027 power unit split doesn't shift to 60/40 in favor of internal combustion, adding to speculation about his next move.
• The four-time world champion is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but he recently indicated he won't sign an extension anytime soon.
• Adding fuel to the fire, Gianpiero Lambiase, Verstappen's longtime race engineer, is set to join McLaren at the end of next year, prompting questions about whether the Dutchman might follow.
• Brown shut that down: "We're very happy with our driver lineup. I don't see any opportunity at the moment." He pointed to Lando Norris (contracted through 2027) and Oscar Piastri (through 2028) as a proven winning duo—both drivers won seven races last season, with Norris taking the championship and Piastri missing by a single third-place finish.

What's next:

With no seat available at McLaren, Verstappen's options appear limited if he decides to leave Red Bull. Mercedes and Aston Martin remain potential suitors, but no concrete moves have been made. For now, Brown's message is clear: McLaren is not in the game.