McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has also responded to the rumors about talks between his team and Max Verstappen. Although the Italian would certainly describe a potential future collaboration with the four-time world champion as a ‘fascinating opportunity,’ he sees only one way Verstappen could currently come to McLaren: ‘Then we first need to introduce a third car’.
The rumors about a McLaren switch by Max Verstappen have been circulating for some time now. The Dutchman was even previously linked to a driver swap with Oscar Piastri. Verstappen would reportedly become Lando Norris’s teammate, while the Australian would, according to speculation, move to Red Bull. Piastri responded to these persistent rumors ahead of the race weekend in Belgium.
“I didn’t realize there was a discussion about it,” the McLaren driver honestly said about the speculations regarding his own future with the British team. As far as the Australian is concerned, he will simply be driving for McLaren in 2027. “I’m very comfortable where I am and feel good about my position. Zak Brown, Andrea Stella, and the whole team have also been very clear about that, just like I am now.”
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‘Then we need a third car’
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was also asked about the four-time world champion after qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps. Although the Italian admitted that attracting a driver like Verstappen as a team is an attractive idea, something must happen first. “We are talking about a four-time world champion here, that would always be a fascinating opportunity,” said Stella. “But then we first need to introduce a third car. For that, you don’t come to me, but to a higher political level. As soon as that is possible, we can continue the conversation.”
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