Rumors continue to swirl regarding Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull, and a potential move to Mercedes for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Now one of Red Bull’s chief rivals is adding some fuel to the fire.
Ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix McLaren held an event for fans in Trafalgar Square in London, where they unveiled a special chrome livery for this weekend’s race as well as some all-black race suits for drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Speaking with Sky Sports F1 at the event McLaren CEO Zak Brown was asked about the rumors, and he indicated he would not be “surprised” to see Verstappen in silver.
“I’m a believer of when there’s smoke, there’s fire. If everyone was committed to their seats, that’s what they would be saying,” began Brown when speaking with Sky Sports F1.
“The fact everyone’s talking and no one is confirming anything, tells me there are conversations going on. I said a while ago I wouldn’t be surprised to see Max in a Mercedes.”
Brown also made the case that without Verstappen in the fold Red Bull would be behind their junior team, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, in the standings.
“Red Bull would be behind Racing Bulls [without Verstappen]. [VCARB] have done a great job and have a great racing car,” added Brown. “I think Max is carrying [Red Bull] at the moment.”
Red Bull are currently fourth in the Constructors’ Championship with 162 points, of which Verstappen has scored 155. Yuki Tsunoda, named to the team ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix as a replacement for Liam Lawson, has scored the other seven.
Perhaps to bolster Brown’s point, Lawson has scored 12 since his move to VCARB, more than the seven Tsunoda has scored with the senior team.
Brown also advised F1 fans to “stay tuned because there might be another chapter,” in the Verstappen saga.
Norris, one of Verstappen’s rivals in the fight for the Drivers’ Championship, demurred when asked about the rumors. “I don’t care where he goes. I appreciate Max as a competitor. He’s a bit tough but I enjoy our battles together,” said Norris.
The McLaren driver added that Verstappen will “decide where he thinks is best.”
Of course, there may be a bit of “poking the bear” at play here. F1 Team Principals are known to tweak their rivals when they can, and at the moment McLaren have a commanding lead in the Constructors’ Championship, while Piastri and Norris are out in front in the Drivers’ title race.
Still, as Brown noted, where there is smoke there tends to be fire.
