McLaren has prepared a formal offer to sign four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the 2027 Formula 1 season.
This follows escalating tensions between the driver and Red Bull Racing on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Speculation intensified after Verstappen crashed out of the British Grand Prix. He then launched an X-rated radio rant regarding his uncompetitive RB22 car.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher reported on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast that the relationship between Verstappen and Red Bull is now severely damaged.
According to Schumacher, Red Bull management reacted negatively when Verstappen refused to publicly waive his contract exit clause during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.
This exit clause is set to trigger at the upcoming summer break later this month.
The condition is that Verstappen currently sits outside the top two in the championship standings.
McLaren CEO Comments on Potential Move
McLaren CEO Zak Brown addressed the possibility of the Dutchman joining the team. He expressed satisfaction with his current driver lineup of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
"I'd be very surprised if Lando or Oscar went elsewhere. They're very happy, we've contracts but even contracts aside, we’re very happy with them," said Brown.
However, Brown acknowledged that the team would remain open to the generational talent if circumstances unexpectedly changed.
"If for some strange reason someone slipped on a banana peel getting out of the tub, then yeah of course, Max is a four-time world champion," he added.
The potential transfer would cause a major domino effect across the grid. Piastri is reportedly linked to a Red Bull seat to replace Verstappen.
Schumacher stated that Red Bull began seeking alternatives after losing trust during the Austrian race weekend.
"From what I understand, people at Red Bull also took it very badly that Max Verstappen did not make it clear at the Red Bull Ring, when everyone was there, that he would waive this exit clause," he said.
Schumacher further noted that Verstappen originally intended to stay committed to the Milton Keynes-based team. Recent performance and internal relationship struggles have degraded that commitment.
"I think Max believed in the project until the very end and genuinely did not want to leave Red Bull.
I say that deliberately, although it is only my personal feeling. That's why there are really no excuses left," Schumacher added.
Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle compared the potential paddock shake-up to Lewis Hamilton's high-profile team switch. He suggested a new environment could revitalize the Dutch driver.
"I think if he could go, he will go at some point, whether it's 2027 or 2028, and do something fresh for him.
We see drivers do that.
We saw Lewis Hamilton do that, for example, and get a reset and a new challenge after a very long time in a team," said Brundle.
The driver market shifts could additionally impact Alpine.
Executive advisor Flavio Briatore is reportedly considering bringing back Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin, which would subsequently open a seat for Pierre Gasly.
