Zak Brown rules out Verstappen joining McLaren: 'We're very happy with our driver lineup'

Zak Brown has unequivocally closed the door on Max Verstappen joining McLaren, despite acknowledging the four-time world champion's immense talent. The McLaren CEO made clear he sees no reason to disrupt a driver pairing that delivered seven wins last season and finished first and second in the drivers' championship.

Why it matters:

McLaren's refusal to even entertain the idea of signing Verstappen signals extraordinary confidence in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. With both drivers under long-term contracts and the team enjoying its most competitive period in over a decade, Brown's stance underscores a belief that McLaren's future success does not hinge on the sport's most dominant driver.

The details:

• In an interview with GPblog, Brown was asked directly if there could ever be room for Verstappen. His response left no ambiguity.
• Full backing: "We're very happy with our driver lineup. It has stayed like that for a couple of years, so I don't see any opportunity at the moment here at McLaren."
• Acknowledging talent: Brown called Verstappen "an awesome talent" but immediately emphasized the strength of his own duo.
• Results speak: Both Norris and Piastri won seven races each in 2025. Norris secured his first world title, while Piastri missed the championship by a single third-place finish.
• Chemistry matters: Brown highlighted how well the two drivers work together, a key factor in McLaren's recent constructors' championship success.

What's next:

Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull through at least 2028, but rumors of potential moves have persisted amid the team's fluctuating performance. Brown's declaration effectively kills any speculation about a McLaren seat opening.

• The focus at Woking remains on nurturing its young lineup and building on the momentum from back-to-back constructors' titles.
• For Verstappen, alternatives outside Red Bull appear increasingly limited, with Ferrari, Mercedes, and now McLaren all seemingly committed to their current drivers.