McLaren has moved to the center of fresh Max Verstappen speculation, even though the four-time world champion remains under contract with Red Bull through the end of 2028. The conversation is not about an immediate switch, but it has become another reminder that the 2027 driver market is already starting to take shape.
At the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen tried to shut down the chatter. He said it was time to stop the rumors and made clear that, for him, he was staying anyway. That was a direct message at the time, but the story has not gone away.
Why McLaren is in the mix
McLaren’s appeal is not hard to understand. The team has a 2025 double title and a senior management structure that would make it a serious destination for any driver evaluating the next stage of his career. If Verstappen ever had a realistic path out of Red Bull, McLaren would almost certainly be part of the discussion.
There is also the broader timing to consider. Driver deals are often sorted well before a new year so teams can plan car design and marketing. That is why the market tends to move early, even when nothing is officially close. In this case, the article suggests the driver market is beginning to gather steam for 2027, while 2028 may be the better year for Verstappen to assess options.
What Zak Brown said
The latest talk picked up again after Zak Brown said at the British GP that his conversation with Verstappen’s management “didn’t go anywhere.” That does not signal a deal, but it does confirm that contact happened and that McLaren is at least part of the wider discussion around the driver’s future.
Brown’s comment also fits the current state of the story. This is not a confirmed move, and there is nothing to suggest an imminent change. It is speculation built around timing, team performance and Verstappen’s long-term situation at Red Bull.
Why the rumors keep returning
Earlier in 2025, Red Bull’s form declined through the first part of the year, and Christian Horner departed as team principal. Verstappen also called the new cars “anti-racing” in preseason testing, adding to the sense that he was not fully satisfied with the direction of the sport or the equipment around him.
On track, the situation has not helped calm the discussion. Across the Austrian and British races, Red Bull had two rear wing failures in two race weekends. At the same time, Verstappen was winless and seventh in the standings, which has only fueled more debate about what comes next.
For now, the key point is simple: Verstappen is still tied to Red Bull, and there is no official move to McLaren. But with 2027 conversation building and 2028 also in view, this is clearly one of the biggest driver-market stories to watch. The next phase may not come soon, but it is already on the radar.
