Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, believes Max Verstappen is most likely to join Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team if he decides to leave Red Bull Racing.
Speculation surrounding Verstappen’s future has intensified due to a combination of internal and external factors. One of the key elements is the reported departure of his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, who is expected to move to McLaren. Their established working relationship has been a cornerstone of Verstappen’s sustained success, making this development particularly significant.
In parallel, Verstappen’s reported dissatisfaction with upcoming Formula 1 regulations and Red Bull’s challenging start to the current season have added further uncertainty. These elements collectively contribute to a scenario in which a potential team switch is increasingly being considered within the paddock.
Despite this, Brown made clear that McLaren is not actively pursuing Verstappen. He reiterated confidence in the team’s current driver line-up, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, both of whom are secured under long-term agreements.
“From McLaren’s point of view, I couldn’t be happier with Lando and Oscar,” Brown told Sky Sports F1.
“We have long-term agreements with them, and I think it’s the greatest driver pairing on and off the track. So we have no intention of replacing any of our two superstars.”
However, Brown acknowledged Verstappen’s value as a generational talent and admitted he would be a natural target under different circumstances.
“Obviously, if one were to leave, then yes, Max is a huge talent, but I’m not anticipating that,” he added.
When offering his personal prediction, Brown identified Mercedes as the most plausible destination for Verstappen, reinforcing ongoing links between the Dutch driver and the team led by Toto Wolff.
“If I had to bet, I’d say Mercedes.”
Brown’s comments highlight the evolving dynamics of the Formula 1 driver market as teams prepare for future regulatory changes. Given Verstappen’s status as one of the sport’s leading figures, any potential move would have significant implications for the competitive balance across the grid.
Looking ahead, Verstappen’s future will likely depend on Red Bull’s ability to maintain competitiveness and align with his expectations under the new regulatory framework. Should those factors diverge, a move to Mercedes could emerge as a realistic outcome in the next phase of Formula 1’s development.
Read Also
Zak Brown warns A/B teams and co-ownership threaten F1 integrity, citing real cases of competitive and financial imbalance across the grid.
Helmut Marko reveals the intense training methods behind Max Verstappen’s rise, highlighting Jos Verstappen’s influence in shaping the F1 champion.
Zak Brown says Christian Horner’s return to Formula 1 would benefit the sport, amid links to Alpine and ongoing leadership shifts.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!