McLaren Talks Verstappen on Possible Move
NXTbets Pro | Published On: June 26, 2026
McLaren Verstappen talks
Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, McLaren has held preliminary talks with Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen about a possible move from Red Bull. The talks point to a possible change at the top of the driver market, with McLaren looking at a future lineup built around Verstappen and McLaren driver Lando Norris. Norris is expected to stay with the team. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri is under contract through 2028, but he could still be pushed into a difficult position if McLaren decides to press on with Verstappen. One scenario under discussion would put Verstappen in McLaren colors alongside Norris and send Piastri to Red Bull in return. That would affect both teams at once and would move two drivers who are already under contract. Verstappen is signed through the end of 2028. Piastri is signed through 2028 as well. The talks show that McLaren is exploring a major reshuffle rather than a small adjustment to its lineup. They also put Piastri in the middle of a possible swap even with a long-term deal in place. McLaren has not settled on a move, but the discussions have made Verstappen the key name in its future planning and Norris the clear centerpiece of the lineup it would like to keep.
Verstappen contract clause
Verstappen remains under contract to Red Bull through the end of 2028, but his deal reportedly includes a release or exit clause tied to his position in the standings at the summer break. The clause could be triggered if he is outside the top two in the championship during the summer. Heading into the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen was seventh in the championship. He was 60 points behind second place and 101 points behind Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli. Those standings keep the clause in view and explain why Verstappen’s future has become such a large part of the conversation around the Formula 1 grid. Red Bull still holds the contract, but the reported clause gives Verstappen a possible route out if his place in the championship slips far enough. That leaves the summer break as the key marker in the background of the story. The standings heading into Austria showed how far he sat from the top two spots that matter for the clause. They also showed the size of the gap he would need to close before that part of the deal stops being relevant. For now, the contract remains in place, the clause remains part of the discussion and Verstappen’s current position keeps the speculation active.
Mercedes market ripple
McLaren’s interest has also increased because Gianpiero Lambiase has arrived after leaving Red Bull in April and other trusted Red Bull figures have departed. Lambiase is on gardening leave after his exit, and that shift has become part of the wider driver discussion around Verstappen. He has also been linked with Mercedes, but the team is expected to keep Mercedes driver George Russell and Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli in its current lineup. Russell said his Mercedes seat is secure. Mercedes has given no sign in the facts provided that it plans to move away from that pairing. Verstappen’s uncertain future has delayed wider driver-market moves across the Formula 1 grid. That slowdown has kept the market waiting on his next step and has held back other decisions that might otherwise move quickly. The Mercedes link remains part of the picture, but the current expectation points to continuity there rather than an immediate opening. Across the grid, teams are still watching Verstappen’s situation because it carries more weight than a single contract question. It can affect McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes at the same time, and it has already shaped the pace of driver-market movement for the rest of the field.
