Zak Brown shuts down Verstappen–McLaren talk
McLaren CEO Zak Brown rules out any Verstappen move to Woking, joking it would only happen if “someone slips on a banana peel” ahead of the British GP.
The rumour mill has been spinning hard, but McLaren CEO Zak Brown has pumped the brakes on any talk of a Verstappen McLaren move. Speaking to Sky Sports at the Austrian Grand Prix, Brown made his position crystal clear and did it with one of the funniest lines of the 2026 season so far. In his remarks, he also shared his thoughts on the ongoing debate surrounding the Zak Brown comments on Verstappen future.
Brown Says McLaren Is “Not in the Market”
Zak Brown comments on Verstappen future: What it means for McLaren
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown stated the team is “not in the market” for Max Verstappen, despite continuing speculation that the four-time champion could be on the move for the 2027 Formula 1 season.
Brown was quick to squash any rumours, telling Sky Sports F1 in Austria: “Well, I’d be very surprised if Oscar or Lando went elsewhere as they are very happy. You know, we’ve got contracts but even contracts aside, they are very happy here and we are very happy with them.”
So far, so clear. But then came the quote everyone is talking about. Zak Brown comments on Verstappen future
Brown added: “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.”
In other words, only a very bizarre accident could open the door. Brown is intent on retaining the line-up of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for a fifth successive season. You can check out our earlier piece on when Brown first opened the door for Verstappen to see how his tone has shifted.
Why Is a Verstappen McLaren move being discussed at All?
The speculation has real roots. Verstappen has a contract until the end of 2028, but sources have told ESPN that a performance-related clause exists that will likely allow him to make an early exit at the end of the year if he wants.
After it emerged that Verstappen instigated a secret meeting with McLaren at the Austrian Grand Prix, Brown appeared to leave the door open to a move. But his latest, firmer comments suggest that door has been quietly nudged shut again.
According to the Austrian newspaper Osterreich, Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen met “several times” during the weekend with Red Bull’s senior leadership, including major shareholder Mark Mateschitz, to discuss the team’s future direction. Red Bull clearly wants to keep their man. You can read more about Verstappen’s hints at his Red Bull conditions for 2027.
On the Red Bull side, “Verstappen McLaren move” has made clear he wants to continue with the team, though it is equally clear that he needs a fast car to be happy, as Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies told the press at the Red Bull Ring.
The Austrian GP itself gave Red Bull fans some hope. Verstappen suggested Red Bull missed an opportunity to beat George Russell in Austria and win their first race of the 2026 Formula 1 season. You can read more about that in our breakdown of how Red Bull’s strategy cost Verstappen a shot at Russell.
Meanwhile, McLaren has its own challenges. Lando Norris’s title defence has been in trouble, and Andrea Stella has been demanding a development push to stay ahead of Mercedes. Adding Verstappen into that mix would be complicated, to say the least.
Verstappen himself has confirmed he will be in Formula 1 next season. “Yes, definitely,” he told De Telegraaf when asked if he would still be driving in 2027, adding: “Unless very crazy things happen, but I don’t assume that.”
British GP and the Silly Season Heat
Silly season is ramping up in Formula 1, with plenty of chatter in Austria about the future of Max Verstappen. And it is only going to get louder heading into Silverstone.
Next up in the 2026 Formula 1 season is a Sprint weekend at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix. The home crowd will be cheering hard for Norris, and every microphone in the paddock will be pointed at anyone connected to Verstappen’s future.
Following his impressive performance in Austria, discussions about Verstappen’s future could well fade if he does mount a championship charge similar to last season, where the Dutchman kept the fight alive all the way to the last race of the year.
For now, the banana peel stays on the shelf. Brown is happy, Norris and Piastri are signed, and Red Bull is working hard to prove to Verstappen that his future is still in Milton Keynes. Whether that changes before the summer break remains the biggest storyline in Formula 1.
