Max Verstappen reportedly discusses McLaren move for 2027 or 2028
Max Verstappen has reportedly held preliminary talks with McLaren regarding a potential move from Oracle Red Bull Racing, according to a report from the Mail Online published on June 26, 2026. The discussions suggest the four-time world champion could exit his current seat as early as late 2027 or in 2028. While McLaren has categorically denied to GPblog that current talks are taking place, a source confirmed to the Daily Mail that the prospect “is an idea McLaren are keen on.”
A key element of these reported discussions centers on pairing Verstappen with Lando Norris at McLaren. This arrangement would potentially see Oscar Piastri move to Red Bull in a straight swap. The rumors surface as Max Verstappen’s future with the Milton Keynes-based squad faces increased scrutiny due to new technical regulations and Red Bull’s current lack of competitiveness. Verstappen has been a vocal critic of the 2026 rules, which introduced a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric battery power.
Technical shifts and internal Red Bull changes
The speculation is bolstered by recent high-profile exits within Red Bull’s technical and leadership ranks. Max Verstappen’s long-serving race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, reportedly left the team in April. Lambiase is currently on gardening leave and is set to join McLaren by 2028 at the latest. This potential reunion in Woking adds a layer of operational logic to the rumor.
Further compounding the uncertainty is the departure of Dr. Helmut Marko, a key Red Bull ally, who left the company at the end of 2025. His exit removed another trusted figure from Verstappen’s inner circle. These internal changes coincide with a dip in form for Red Bull, while Toto Wolff at Mercedes is also reportedly monitoring the situation, though any counteroffer would come at an enormous financial cost.
Contractual hurdles and the $70 million salary
Max Verstappen is currently the most expensive driver on the F1 grid, commanding an annual salary of $70 million. This figure has proved a barrier in the past; McLaren CEO Zak Brown confirmed he inquired about Verstappen’s contract in March 2025 but the pursuit ended swiftly. Verstappen himself previously confirmed those talks, stating that once Brown knew the cost, “it was over immediately.”
Despite being signed to Red Bull until the end of 2028—the longest contract in the sport’s history—Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen has confirmed the existence of exit clauses. “Of course, there are exit clauses; there always have been,” Vermeulen stated, though he noted they have never been exercised. Speculation suggests these performance-related triggers could allow an earlier exit if specific results are not met.
Current driver stability at McLaren
McLaren’s leadership, including Team Principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown, has frequently expressed satisfaction with their current lineup. McLaren won the Constructors’ Championship in 2024 and defended it in 2025, marking their tenth title. Unlike Gleyber Torres dealing with an injury absence in other sports, McLaren’s drivers are currently enjoying a period of high performance and long-term security.
Lando Norris is under contract until at least the end of 2028, while Oscar Piastri recently signed a multi-year deal believed to keep him at the team through the 2029 season. Any move for Verstappen would require a massive restructuring of these existing agreements or the realization of the rumored straight swap with Red Bull. For now, Verstappen has ruled out immediate contract extension talks with his current team, stating he first needs to decide if he wishes to continue in the sport beyond 2028.