Zak Brown states McLaren cannot entirely dismiss signing Max Verstappen in future seasons, even if the move appears unlikely at present. Verstappen has just taken second place at the Austrian Grand Prix, his best result of this campaign, which keeps discussion about potential team changes alive across the F1 paddock.
McLaren currently have Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked into long-term deals, so Brown views any Verstappen switch for 2027 or beyond as a low-probability scenario. Yet Brown hints that unforeseen developments in Formula One can reshape driver markets faster than teams sometimes expect.
Brown underlines that McLaren feel secure with Norris and Piastri but still respects Verstappen’s status. Brown told Sky Sports: "I'd be very
surprised if Lando or Oscar went elsewhere, because they are very happy. " That statement reflects how settled McLaren appear with the current driver pairing.
Brown then stresses the strength of existing contracts but accepts that unusual situations can arise. "Of course they have contracts, but besides that, we're very happy with them and they are very happy here. If for some strange reason someone slipped on a banana peel getting out of the tub, then yeah of course, Max is a four-time world champion. "
Verstappen’s drive to second at Spielberg lifts the four-time champion’s career total to 3,517.5 points. That figure makes Verstappen only the second Formula One driver to pass 3,500 points, following Lewis Hamilton, who leads the all-time list with 5,143.5 points accumulated during Hamilton’s extensive F1 career.
The Austrian Grand Prix remains one of Verstappen’s most productive events. Verstappen has scored 196 points there, matching the total achieved at races in the United States. Only in Spain has Verstappen stood on the podium more often, with eight rostrum appearances compared with seven podiums achieved at the Austrian round.
Verstappen holds the outright record for most podiums in Austria, with seven top-three finishes. However, Verstappen had not taken a podium at Spielberg since winning there in 2023 before this latest second place. Verstappen has also never gone more than two consecutive grands prix at Spielberg without reaching the podium.
TURN IT UP!!!#F1 || #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/ilX7PWF1eaOracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) June 29, 2026
Despite this strong record, Verstappen is struggling by personal standards in the 2026 season. Verstappen currently sits seventh in the Drivers' Championship, 98 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli. Those results, combined with new F1 regulations for 2026, have triggered fresh speculation about retirement and a possible departure from Red Bull.
Reports suggest McLaren have already spoken with Verstappen about long-term options, although no vacancy exists while Norris and Piastri remain committed. As the F1 schedule moves on to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Verstappen’s future and McLaren’s firm backing for the existing line-up continue to shape paddock discussion.
