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McLaren’s interest in Max Verstappen is likely to intensify following the signing of Gianpiero Lambiase from Red Bull, and Lando Norris’ contract opens up an opportunity.
McLaren confirmed on Thursday that Lambiase would be joining the team in the role of chief racing officer. The Red Bull engineer is under contract until the end of 2027, but it remains to be seen whether an earlier transfer is negotiated.
Lambiase will push for McLaren to sign Verstappen, and Zak Brown is likely to be receptive to the idea. He already enquired about the Dutchman’s availability in early 2025 and remains keen.
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Lando Norris contract structure perfectly tees up McLaren swoop for Max Verstappen
Brown has repeatedly stated that McLaren have the best line-up in Formula 1, and winning back-to-back constructors’ titles will certainly have strengthened that view. But that’s not to say that signing Verstappen wouldn’t make it even better.
Both drivers have signed long-term extensions in recent times. The exact length of Norris’ McLaren deal is unknown, with some suggesting it runs until 2027 and others until 2028.
But the consensus is that there is at least one extension option embedded in the contract. That gives Brown the flexibility he needs.
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If Verstappen is off the market, he can extend a driver who has already delivered a world championship. But if the Dutchman is available, he can pounce.
The timelines may work perfectly. Signs point to Verstappen taking a sabbatical at the end of this year to pursue other racing interests and spend time with his family.
He could then return to a more refined F1 in 2028 or 2029, at which point he’ll only be in his early 30s. Even if he announces his so-called ‘retirement’ this year, speculation about a possible return will be rampant, and top teams like McLaren will be monitoring his feelings closely.
The most desirable seats in F1 may not be available next year, but that will change further down the line.
Why Lando Norris is more likely to be sacrificed than Oscar Piastri
A recent report claimed Brown’s relationship with Oscar Piastri is strained. This, combined with Norris’ 2025 title win, would suggest that the Australian is more likely to be sacrificed.
But Piastri signed his McLaren contract a year later than Norris, which may offer him a greater degree of protection.
More importantly, McLaren insiders believe Piastri has a higher ceiling than his teammate. He may have been outscored in each of his first three seasons, but his year-on-year trajectory still supports that theory.
The gap has consistently shrunk, and there are signs at the start of this year that Piastri may now be the quicker driver, certainly over one lap.
McLaren letting Norris go would be one of the most ruthless driver calls in F1 history. But Verstappen has established himself as an all-time great and, for all Norris’ recent success, he hasn’t yet shown that kind of potential.
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