Despite having a contract with Red Bull Racing until 2028, Max Verstappen’s future in Formula 1 remains shrouded in uncertainty. According to renowned F1 journalist Joe Saward, McLaren has been monitoring the situation and has already initiated negotiations with the four-time world champion. The news emerged on Monday, with sources in the paddock hinting at early-stage discussions between the driver and the current constructors’ champions.
Saward reports that Verstappen is exploring his options and has not prioritized Mercedes or Ferrari. Instead, his interest appears directed at McLaren, the team that has won back-to-back constructors’ titles. A key factor is the upcoming arrival of Gianpiero Lambiase at McLaren in 2027. Currently Verstappen’s race engineer at Red Bull, Lambiase is a trusted figure for the Dutchman, who has previously stated he would only continue in F1 alongside the Italian-British engineer.
Reports suggest Verstappen’s motivation has waned due to recent regulation changes in F1, combined with Red Bull’s underwhelming performance this season. During the break caused by the cancellation of races in the Middle East in April, the 28-year-old competed in the Gran Turismo event at the Nürburgring, further fueling speculation about his discontent. After four Grands Prix in 2026, Verstappen and Red Bull sit seventh in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, with the driver yet to secure a podium finish this year.
The rumors come at a time when McLaren is preparing for a major internal shift, with Lambiase’s move set to strengthen their engineering lineup. Whether Verstappen will trigger a contractual clause or seek an early exit remains unclear, but the paddock is buzzing with the possibility of one of F1’s biggest transfers in recent history.
