🚨 BIG F1 RUMOUR 🚨 McLaren Made a Big ANNOUNCEMENT Revealing that Max Verstappen P…read more

Zak Brown Opens Door to Max Verstappen as Mercedes Links Intensify

By Hugo Harvey

April 29, 2026

Speculation surrounding the future of Max Verstappen has taken another intriguing turn after Zak Brown publicly admitted that McLaren would be open to welcoming the reigning world champion should a seat ever become available.

While the American executive was quick to downplay the likelihood of such a scenario unfolding, his comments have nonetheless ignited fresh debate across the Formula 1 paddock. At a time when Verstappen’s long-term future with Red Bull Racing continues to be a recurring topic of discussion, even hypothetical openings at rival teams are enough to set the rumor mill into overdrive.

Brown’s remarks came during a media engagement where he was asked directly about the possibility of Verstappen ever driving in papaya colors. His response was measured but revealing. He acknowledged that McLaren, like any top-tier team, would naturally consider a driver of Verstappen’s caliber if circumstances aligned. However, he emphasized that both of McLaren’s current drivers are firmly embedded in the team’s long-term plans.

That statement effectively reinforces McLaren’s current stability, with their lineup widely regarded as one of the most competitive and cohesive on the grid. The team has invested heavily in building a project around consistency and development, making any near-term driver shake-up highly unlikely. Brown himself admitted that he does not foresee a situation where a seat would realistically open up for Verstappen.

Despite closing the McLaren door at least for now Brown’s most striking comment centered on where he believes Verstappen could end up if he were to leave Red Bull. In a candid prediction, he pointed toward Mercedes as the most probable destination for the Dutch superstar.

That assessment aligns with growing speculation that Mercedes, led by team principal Toto Wolff, could be positioning itself for a major driver acquisition in the coming years. With the team entering a new regulatory era and aiming to reclaim consistent championship dominance, securing a driver of Verstappen’s pedigree would represent a statement move.

Verstappen has been synonymous with Red Bull’s success in recent seasons, delivering multiple world championships and establishing himself as the benchmark driver in Formula 1. However, the sport’s dynamic nature combined with evolving regulations and internal team developments means that even the most stable partnerships can come under scrutiny.

Brown’s suggestion that Verstappen might favor Mercedes is particularly noteworthy given the historical rivalry between the two teams. The fierce title battles between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton during the early 2020s defined an era of Formula 1, with tensions between Red Bull and Mercedes frequently spilling beyond the racetrack.

A potential move to Mercedes would therefore represent not just a career shift for Verstappen, but also a symbolic turning point in the sport’s competitive landscape. It would signal a dramatic realignment of power and potentially usher in a new era of dominance for the Silver Arrows.

For now, however, all such discussions remain firmly in the realm of speculation. Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull and continues to be the focal point of their championship ambitions. The team has built its entire competitive structure around his driving style and feedback, making any departure both complex and consequential.

McLaren, meanwhile, continues to focus on its upward trajectory. After years of rebuilding, the team has re-established itself as a serious contender, and Brown’s comments suggest a clear commitment to maintaining that momentum with their existing lineup.

Still, in Formula 1, circumstances can change rapidly. Driver contracts, performance fluctuations, and regulatory shifts all have the potential to reshape the grid in unexpected ways. Brown’s willingness to even entertain the idea of Verstappen joining McLaren however unlikely underscores the Dutchman’s immense value in the driver market.

As the paddock looks ahead to the next phase of the sport’s evolution, one question lingers: if Verstappen ever decides to seek a new challenge, where will he go?

For now, Brown’s prediction points toward Mercedes. But until any move becomes reality, the possibility of seeing Verstappen in anything other than Red Bull colors remains one of Formula 1’s most captivating “what if” scenarios.