McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, candidly confessed to making preliminary overtures towards the reigning F1 world champion, Max Verstappen. Despite this revelation, Brown clarified that McLaren has no immediate plans to recruit the Dutch sensation – their attention fixated on fostering long-term consistency with their current duo, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen, currently contracted with Red Bull until 2028, has a performance-based clause in his agreement that may enable him to exit prematurely, a pattern seen in his previous contracts. Brown’s admission to Dutch media outlet, De Telegraaf, of his exploratory call to Verstappen, was merely an effort to “explore the market.” Brown conceded that any team would jump at the chance to secure a driver of Verstappen’s magnitude.
Despite the buzz surrounding Verstappen’s future, Brown was emphatic about McLaren’s commitment to preserving its existing squad. Norris and Piastri are both sewn into long-term contracts; Norris until 2028 and Piastri, who recently inked a new deal ahead of his hometown Grand Prix in Melbourne, until the close of 2029. Brown himself is confirmed as McLaren’s CEO until 2030, highlighting a robust and stable leadership framework.
Brown conveyed the ease of extending Piastri’s contract, indicating a mutual desire for stability within the team, a crucial element in ensuring long-term success. He underscored the significance of retaining the same technical team and pit wall lineup from the previous season, reflecting McLaren’s dedication to unity and focus.
As the 2025 F1 season looms, McLaren, crowned Constructors’ Champions last season, is widely tipped as the title contenders. However, Brown and Team Principal Andrea Stella are not taking anything for granted. Stella recollected that despite their success, they were not always the fastest, a factor that has spurred their aggressive development strategy for the forthcoming season.
While McLaren’s strategy takes shape, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, known for his admiration of Verstappen, could potentially revive attempts to entice Verstappen, especially if Red Bull’s performance dips. This might be especially pertinent, given that the contracts of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are due to expire at the end of the 2025 F1 season.
However, Brown’s remarks imply that McLaren will not be involved in any potential battles for Verstappen’s signature. He made it clear that their focus is firmly on their existing lineup, steering clear of any Verstappen conjecture.
As the F1 community readies for what promises to be a fiercely competitive 2025 season, the driver market could yet spring some surprises. For now, however, it appears that McLaren are committed to their current roster, and Verstappen remains resolute in his allegiance to Red Bull.