Max Verstappen has held secret talks with McLaren over a potential bombshell move from Formula 1 rivals Red Bull, according to reports.
The Dutchman’s future with the Milton Keynes-based squad – and indeed the sport as a whole – has been questioned for some time, triggered predominantly by the new technical regulations and Red Bull’s current lack of competitiveness.
With the decision that F1 will relent to a 60-40 split back towards ICE power from next year, Verstappen has appeared to be placated, despite speaking openly about his enjoyment of his extracurricular activities at the Nurburgring when competing there in GT3 racing over the last year.
This has subsequently helped to reignite rumours of a potential move to Mercedes, which had been heavily speculated last year before committing to Red Bull.
But a report from the Mail Online has now suggested that Verstappen has held what was described as “hush-hush” talks with McLaren, which, if they go well, could see the four-time World Champion make the move “as early as next year.”
Should Verstappen join the Woking-based giants, Oscar Piastri would be the driver to make way, and will join Red Bull in a straight swap.
Verstappen’s exit from Red Bull could potentially be smoother than his contract initially suggest, as certain performances clauses are thought to be included, easing a pathway out should the team be underperforming.
The move would see Verstappen be paired with reigning World Champion Lando Norris in a mouthwatering pairing.
What Motorsport Week thinks: Why Max Verstappen moving to McLaren could make perfect sense
Verstappen flippantly, but with all likelihood and self-belief, commented ahead of the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year that the title would have been over “a long time ago” had he been behind the wheel of a McLaren.
It is possible that, should these alleged talks be successful, Verstappen will get that chance, although he will likely to be in a position not as envious as the one he would have been in then.
There’s no denying that McLaren has not quite adapted to the new ruleset as well as its rivals, but regardless of any financial benefits Verstappen could stand to gain should it wish to match or even exceed his current Red Bull wage, there is still one aspect of attraction that is undeniable.
Red Bull has seen a number of high-profile departures in recent years, such as Adrian Newey to Aston Martin, Jonathan Wheatley to Sauber’s burgeoning Audi transition, and, of course, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko – the leading figureheads of the entire F1 organisation
But Rob Marshall also vacated Red Bull to join McLaren, and designed its the title-winning MCL38 and MCL39 challengers; and Will Courtenay jumped ship to become McLaren’s Sporting Director.
And last but not least, Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, friend and confidant, Gianpiero Lambiase, was confirmed to be joining McLaren “no later than 2028” earlier this year, leaving the most gaping of holes.
Lambiase will join as Chief Racing Officer, but there has been widespread speculation that he will eventually become Team Principal, replacing incumbent Andrea Stella.
The British-Italian has been virtually talked about in the same way as Horner, Marko and father Jos as an instrumental figure in Verstappen’s career, such is the closeness of their relationship.
Naturally, moving from one team to another would herald a culture change, but some of the faces in its personnel would be as familiar as both teams’ respective thirst for success.
Michael Schumacher’s swift from Benetton to Ferrari in 1996 was followed by a number of high-profile technical staff making the same moving, giving the German the metaphorical booster that sent his F1 career into orbit.
Verstappen would already have a great deal of that already sorted, handing him a foundation to build a successful partnership that would dovetail with McLaren’s track record of generally – or at least eventually – interpreting new regulations well.
McLaren has made several champions over the course of its history, but scarcely has it signed such an accomplished and established champion such as Verstappen.
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