McLaren CEO Zak Brown Confirms Talks with Max Verstappen’s Camp Over P… read more
In a surprising revelation that adds another layer of intrigue to the 2025 Formula 1 season, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has confirmed he held discussions with Max Verstappen’s management regarding a potential switch to the Woking-based outfit. The talks, which reportedly took place during the 2024-2025 winter break, involved Verstappen’s longtime manager, Raymond Vermeulen, and were described by Brown as exploratory in nature.
While McLaren recently announced long-term contract extensions for their current drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris—both of whom have delivered consistently strong performances this season—Brown acknowledged that his duties as team principal include keeping tabs on market dynamics and future opportunities, even those as ambitious as landing a three-time World Champion like Verstappen.
Speaking to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Brown elaborated on the purpose behind the discussions. “Oh yes, about that call… It’s my job to explore the market and to know what’s going on,” Brown admitted. “We have to remember that at that time I was also negotiating a new contract with my own driver, Oscar Piastri. I want to be able to assess whether any stone could start falling over, causing a domino effect. Because that could trigger interest in my driver again. That is the reason I inquired.”
Brown’s comments suggest that the call was less about immediate recruitment and more about strategic foresight. In a sport where driver movements can quickly destabilize the balance of power among teams, staying informed on even remote possibilities is vital for any competitive team principal. Brown, known for his business acumen and long-term planning, appears to have taken a cautious but proactive approach.
Despite the audacity of targeting a driver of Verstappen’s calibre—who remains under contract with Red Bull Racing—the context of the inquiry may have been fueled by uncertainty surrounding Red Bull’s internal dynamics. Over the past year, rumors have swirled about tensions between Verstappen’s camp and team leadership, particularly in the wake of team principal Christian Horner’s off-track controversies and shifting technical staff.
However, Brown was quick to downplay any sensationalist interpretations of the talks. He noted that the discussion with Vermeulen didn’t progress beyond a preliminary stage and humorously alluded to the financial realities that likely curtailed any serious negotiation. “Let me put it this way, during that phone call I got the information I needed,” Brown concluded.
Verstappen himself acknowledged the contact in a recent press interaction but laughed off the prospect of joining McLaren, citing the high price tag associated with such a move. According to him, the conversation ended swiftly once his manager quoted the prospective cost. This tongue-in-cheek response underscores the reigning champion’s confidence in his current team and contract, while also hinting at the staggering value attached to his services.
Nevertheless, Brown has little to worry about in the near term. His faith in the current McLaren lineup has been richly rewarded. Oscar Piastri, in only his second full season, has emerged as a standout performer. The young Australian secured his third consecutive Grand Prix win at the Miami GP, a feat that propelled him to the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings. His teammate, Lando Norris, has also maintained an impressive form, contributing to a dominant start to the season for the team.
McLaren’s latest 1-2 finish in Miami extended their lead in the Constructors’ Championship to 105 points over Mercedes, a performance that has stunned the paddock and turned McLaren into a formidable championship contender. Brown, visibly pleased with the team’s trajectory, praised his drivers’ synergy and consistency. “I’m a happy camper,” he remarked. “We’ve got two world-class drivers, they push each other, and they’re delivering exactly what this team needs right now.”
The success McLaren is enjoying in 2025 is not just the result of driver performance. The team’s technical department, led by a revitalized design and strategy unit, has made significant gains over the winter. Innovations in aerodynamics and a much-improved power unit package have brought the car up to par with, and in some cases ahead of, traditional front-runners Red Bull and Mercedes.
Still, the very fact that Brown entertained the idea of signing Verstappen illustrates just how ambitious McLaren has become. Once viewed as a team in transition, McLaren now positions itself as a serious contender, not only in the constructors’ standings but also in the off-track game of driver recruitment.
For now, the prospect of Max Verstappen in papaya orange remains just that—a prospect. But the fact that McLaren even explored such a possibility shows how far they’ve come. It also signals to the rest of the paddock that McLaren isn’t content to merely compete—they intend to dominate, and they’re willing to explore every avenue to make that happen.
As the 2025 season progresses, eyes will remain not just on the track but also on the contract negotiations and behind-the-scenes dealings that shape Formula 1’s ever-evolving narrative. And if nothing else, Zak Brown’s phone call reminds us that in F1, the real action often begins long before the lights go out.
