McLaren CEO Zak Brown reportedly made a bold move ahead of Oscar Piastri’s contract extension by contacting Max Verstappen’s management to assess his availability. According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Brown’s inquiry came before Piastri’s multi-year deal was finalized, securing the Australian’s place at McLaren until at least 2028.
Verstappen, widely regarded as one of Formula 1’s top talents, is currently locked in with Red Bull until the end of 2028. However, rumors of performance-related exit clauses in his contract have fueled ongoing speculation about his long-term future, especially amid Red Bull’s recent struggles to maintain their dominance.
Brown clarified that the call was made as part of standard market exploration, saying it was simply to “explore the market.” This one-off inquiry has raised eyebrows across the paddock, highlighting Brown’s ambition to leave no avenue unexplored in shaping McLaren’s trajectory.
While there’s no indication Verstappen is actively seeking a move, his name has been similarly linked to rival teams like Mercedes and Aston Martin. Red Bull, facing internal challenges, could find their star driver increasingly in demand if their form falters.
McLaren ultimately re-committed to Piastri, who has already proven his value with back-to-back wins in Hungary and Azerbaijan in 2024. Yet, the fact that McLaren even considered Verstappen speaks volumes about their aspirations for returning to the pinnacle of Formula 1.