‘Incomprehensible’ Max Verstappen demand would break McLaren’s ‘core philosophy’

Follow us on Google Discover

Max Verstappen continues to be linked with taking Oscar Piastri’s seat at McLaren for the 2027 F1 season, yet one hurdle could jeopardise any move for the Red Bull driver.

Speculation is now running rife that Piastri faces the threat of Verstappen taking his drive, as the Dutchman’s frustration at Red Bull seems to build race by race. Back-to-back crashes for the 28-year-old due to issues with Red Bull’s Macarena rear wing have also added more fuel.

Verstappen spun during qualifying in Austria and also out of the British Grand Prix, while P3, after the upper flap on his rear wing did not fully close after using straight mode. The time it took the flap to rotate ensured the airflow could not reattach in time and he lost downforce.

If you were Zak Brown, would you sign Max Verstappen or keep Oscar Piastri?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Max Verstappen’s demand to be the No1 driver would break McLaren’s core philosophy

Spinning out at Silverstone also means Verstappen will have from August to October to use a release clause in his contract for Red Bull through 2028. It is now impossible for him to enter the 2026 summer break in the top two of the championship, which would cancel the clause.

READ MORE: Every time that Max Verstappen has clashed with the media

McLaren may have the only remaining landing spot at the front of the grid for Verstappen in 2027, though. Piastri’s McLaren contract includes a release clause tied to him being outside the top five in the 2026 drivers’ standings by the summer break, and he is currently in sixth.

But Channel Nine in Australia claims that on top of Piastri and McLaren CEO Zak Brown both emphasising their commitments to each other at Silverstone, Verstappen’s desire to be the number one driver at whichever team he drives for in 2027 may prove to be a major hurdle.

There is ‘little doubt’ that Verstappen would demand to be the No1 driver at McLaren, given that he has had the status at Red Bull ever since Daniel Ricciardo left the team at the end of 2018. But while it is ‘incomprehensible’ that Verstappen would not demand to be McLaren’s lead driver, it is also unfathomable that the papaya outfit would make Lando Norris the No2.

McLaren operate with a ‘core philosophy’ of fairness for their two drivers, which saw Norris and Piastri enjoy equal treatment throughout their 2025 F1 title fight even after Verstappen threatened to take the title away. So, McLaren would be loath to break that for Verstappen.

You’re in charge of a Red Bull rival, how much would you offer Max Verstappen for 2027?

Ralf Schumacher claims Mercedes' offer is "so bad" financially

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Channel Nine also adds that Piastri’s management has ‘denied’ reports that he has activated a release clause in his contract and aims to leave McLaren at the end of this season. A claim emerged earlier this week that Piastri is considering terminating his contract with McLaren.

It still remains to be seen whether or not Piastri’s release clause will become active from the summer break like Verstappen’s exit clause is due to be. With two events remaining until the break, Piastri trails Norris in the crucial fifth place, on which his clause is based, by 15 points.

Piastri’s deficit to Norris would have likely been less had he not been clipped by Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson on the first lap of the British GP. The incident damaged Piastri’s front wing, but McLaren did not initially pit the Australian and he fell to last place before recovering to P11.