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.
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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.
