McLaren and Mercedes agree on the one problem with signing Max Verstappen

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Max Verstappen is widely regarded as the best driver on the Formula 1 grid and he may be available for transfer within weeks.

Verstappen will be able to activate an exit clause in his deal because he will be outside the top two in the standings at the beginning of the summer break. But suitors are hesitant.

Red Bull’s rivals all have what they consider the best line-up on the grid already. Signing Verstappen may be a further upgrade, but it would come at a cost.

Max Verstappen is an F1 legend, but he comes with ‘baggage’

Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari have all been speaking to Verstappen’s management, though levels of interest vary. Some may be thinking about their 2028 or even 2029 line-ups, rather than discussing a move in the short term.

According to BBC Sport, all of those teams recognise that Verstappen comes with ‘baggage’.

If you were Max Verstappen, would you stay at Red Bull or move on?

Verstappen has been linked with McLaren, but could also retire or take a sabbatical

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Five years ago, Verstappen and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton were involved in one of the most hostile F1 title battles in recent memory. Most of the team’s employees will still remember the controversies of that year vividly, not least the finale in Abu Dhabi.

McLaren, leading the race at the moment, have more recent experience of a championship battle with Verstappen. In 2024, he received three penalties for incidents with Lando Norris, which ignited debates over the standard of his driving.

While Zak Brown has expressed his admiration for Verstappen, there will no doubt be some at Woking who are uncomfortable with the Dutchman’s ruthless tactics and unapologetic demeanour.

The four-time world champion hasn’t formed such a rivalry with a Ferrari driver (his 2022 battle with Leclerc was short-lived). But even then, Verstappen accused Ferrari of cheating with their engine in 2019, a remark that understandably infuriated the Italian team.

Ultimately, all three teams must decide whether Verstappen is talented enough to overlook this ‘baggage’. Most in F1 would agree that he is.

Before proceeding with any deal, they will have to let go of past grudges.