McLaren’s Max Verstappen Interest ‘Cannot be Downplayed’

According to an F1 insider, McLaren’s interest in Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is certainly something serious and not just rumormongering.

Max Verstappen is the hottest tickets in the driver’s transfer market, being the fastest driver on the grid, one of the biggest names, and seemingly having serious interest in a move away from his only F1 team, Red Bull.

Mercedes was reportedly after him over the last two years, but since tying down George Russell long-term and Kimi Anontelli’s emergence, a deal looks unlikely.

Ferrari have Lewis Hamilton who is bouncing back, while Charles Leclerc is the team’s cornerstone piece.

The only other top team left is McLaren, who on the surface have a set lineup of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. However, that has not stopped McLaren from holding talks with Verstappen.

ESPN’s Nate Saunders reports that McLaren CEO Zak Brown ha spoke with Verstappen and his inner circle.

“Sources have told ESPN he has talked to Verstappen privately recently, while he’s also had fleeting conversations with the Dutchman’s wider team,” he wrote.

How likely is Max Verstappen to leave?

However, while there is legitimate smoke, a move still appears unlikely.

“Sources with good knowledge of the situation have told ESPN that the more likely option as it stands right now is that Verstappen stays, but the interest of the likes of McLaren cannot be downplayed either,” Saunders added.

“Clearly, things are bubbling away under the surface, but the next few months will be crucial — anyone telling you that a decision either way will be made in the next couple of days or weeks is kidding themselves.”

Silly season in F1 always tends to bring a series of surprises, and at this point, a move by McLaren to get the four-time champion would certainly not shock anyone.

Given all of the moving pieces, it is understandable why in the midst of a new regulation cycle, neither Verstappen nor McLaren want to make a drastic move.