McLaren CEO Zak Brown has no plans to make way for Max Verstappen at his team. Although all stories surrounding the future of the four-time world champion in Formula 1 have so far only been rumors, the American already confirms that McLaren is not considering replacing ‘one of our superstars’, drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. ‘If I had to guess where he would go, I would say Mercedes,’ Brown speculates about Verstappen’s future.
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At the beginning of April, the somewhat unexpected news broke at Red Bull: Gianpiero Lambiase will leave the Austrian racing stable for McLaren after 2027. Speculation about Max Verstappen’s future immediately began again, especially after the world champion himself openly cast doubt on his further Formula 1 career during the Japanese GP.
Despite his regular race engineer moving to McLaren, CEO Zak Brown says he has no place for the four-time world champion. “From McLaren’s point of view, I’m incredibly happy with Lando (Norris, ed.) and Oscar (Piastri, ed.),” Brown tells Sky Sports. “We have long-term contracts with them and I think they form the best driver duo both on and off the track, so we absolutely have no plans to replace one of our two superstars.”
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Mercedes
According to Brown, a spot would only become available for Verstappen at McLaren if Norris or Piastri themselves decided to leave. “Of course, if one of the two were to leave, then yes. Max is a great talent, but I don’t expect it.” The CEO therefore prefers to bet his money on another potential future team for the Dutchman. “If I had to guess, I would say Mercedes.”
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