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Zak Brown Drops Bold Max Verstappen Claim Amid McLaren Buzz
Highlights
- Zak Brown open to Verstappen if McLaren had a third car
- McLaren’s 2025 drivers: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
- Both Norris and Piastri won seven Grands Prix each in 2025
- Norris won 2025 drivers’ championship, beating Verstappen by two points
- Verstappen under Red Bull contract through 2028, rumors dismissed
- McLaren confirms no driver changes; current lineup is secure
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has cooled fresh talk of Max Verstappen joining the team, saying he would only consider it if a third car existed. He stressed McLaren’s current lineup remains set.
Brown praised Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, arguing both have repeatedly shown they can beat Verstappen on merit. Their 2025 form underpinned McLaren’s momentum and validated the team’s continuity strategy.
“If I had a third car, I’d sign him in a heartbeat.” — Zak Brown
Speculation spiked during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, including talk of a Piastri swap. Brown’s stance mirrors earlier remarks that welcomed Verstappen only in a hypothetical expansion scenario.
Asked if he would replace either driver, Brown was unequivocal. He said both “have their names engraved on their race seat,” reinforcing that no changes are planned.
Brown joked only a “banana peel” scenario would open a McLaren seat for Verstappen.
That line echoed his comments at the Red Bull Ring, where he underlined lineup stability over market noise. He reiterated the point again in Austria with a firm denial.
McLaren’s confidence rests on results. Norris and Piastri each won seven Grands Prix in 2025, and Norris edged Verstappen to the title by two points after a tense Abu Dhabi decider.
Norris clinched the 2025 drivers’ championship by two points over Verstappen after a final-race showdown.
Verstappen remains contracted at Red Bull through 2028, with performance-related options. At the Austrian event, Laurent Mekies dismissed the rumors and signalled Verstappen’s intention to stay put.
Piastri, linked externally in the paddock chatter, called the speculation flattering but said no formal talks have occurred. He emphasised satisfaction with McLaren and his current trajectory.
Brown closed the door again, noting there is no seat available. He added any conversation would only happen if a vacancy emerged, while McLaren focuses on resolving its key deficit areas.
The driver market will continue to swirl, but McLaren’s plan is clear. With Norris and Piastri delivering, the team intends to compound gains rather than disrupt a proven partnership.
Visual Summary
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Norris
🔒
Piastri
?
Verstappen
Rumor
⟶
⟶
“No vacancy 🚫“ says Zak Brown
🏆
2025 Driver Champ
2025 Driver Champ
𝑀
×2
Back-to-Back Constructors
×2
Back-to-Back Constructors
🥈
Piastri 7 wins
Piastri 7 wins
McLaren’s seats are locked—
no room for Verstappen!
no room for Verstappen!
Brown: “If I had a third car, I’d sign Max in a heartbeat — but Norris & Piastri are here to stay.”
(Banana peel required for change!) 🍌
(Banana peel required for change!) 🍌
2025: Norris edges Verstappen by just 2 points, McLaren reigns again.
The rumor mill rolls on—but the papaya fortress stands firm.
The rumor mill rolls on—but the papaya fortress stands firm.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
