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McLaren could have at least one open seat in 2028 amid links with Max Verstappen. Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is joining the team as chief racing officer that very same year.
Verstappen has previously threatened to leave Red Bull if Lambiase ever departed. His broader F1 future is also uncertain amid his deep dissatisfaction with the 2026 regulations.
It emerged after last week’s Lambiase bombshell that Zak Brown is still interested in Verstappen, having enquired about his availability in early 2025. The question is whether he’s willing to drop one of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to make a deal happen.
Will Max Verstappen keep his word as Gianperio Lambiase leaves Red Bull?
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri only locked in for one more year
When Norris signed his latest contract in January 2024, McLaren confirmed that he would be staying until at least the end of 2026, without specifying the exact length of the agreement.
And when Piastri followed suit just before the 2025 season, the team simply described it as a ‘multi-year extension’.
Now, the team have clarified to BBC Sport that both deals run until at least ‘the end of 2027’. They may well include extension clauses to take them beyond that date.
Which McLaren driver will leave the team first?
Let us know your reasoning in the comments!
Still, this gives McLaren some level of flexibility if a driver like Verstappen is available for the 2028 season.
The timing could be perfect if, as some suspect, Verstappen takes a sabbatical before returning to the sport.
Ranking the teams with the best chance of signing Max Verstappen
Aston Martin have previously shown interest in Verstappen, but that move is no longer feasible unless the team completely turn their fortunes around.
With no other midfield teams likely to reach the front in the near future, it’s likely a three-horse race between Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren if Verstappen leaves Red Bull.
McLaren’s move for Lambiase arguably makes them the favourites for the Dutchman, particularly if they can catch engine suppliers Mercedes.
The Silver Arrows are a close second, but Verstappen has ‘always’ been sceptical about Ferrari, even though they may be in the market for another superstar once Lewis Hamilton retires.
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