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Max Verstappen’s links to McLaren have dominated the Formula 1 paddock after his camp initiated talks with the team.
The Dutchman is considering his future in F1, with him being free to leave Red Bull at the end of the 2026 season. Verstappen’s deadline to decide his future has now passed, and he can break his contract if he does not finish in the top three of the standings.
At the Austrian GP, reports linking the four-time champion to McLaren swept through the paddock. Red Bull are trying everything in their power to keep Verstappen beyond 2026, but their Woking rivals have something that they do not.
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McLaren’s Le Mans programme could convince Max Verstappen to join
Jenson Button says McLaren cannot guarantee Verstappen will succeed outside of Red Bull and thus should not rush to sign him. The Milton Keynes outfit did make huge strides forward in Austria, but whether that is enough to convince him to stay is another question.
Verstappen has been open about his dislike of the 2026 regulation changes and has looked to explore other interests while pushing for the FIA to make changes to the current rules.
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As per a report from Auto Motor und Sport, Verstappen is ‘seeking a distraction from his frustrations’ in F1, and McLaren could offer him just that.
From 2027, the Woking outfit will be competing in the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship with their own machine, and will tackle the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Verstappen has made no secret of his interest in Le Mans, even admitting that he has been speaking to Fernando Alonso, who has won the event twice with Toyota, about taking on the race in the future.
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Now, Red Bull are allowing Verstappen to race in GT3, having competed at the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring this season. However, they ‘cannot offer’ him a full racing project outside of F1 that McLaren can.
It is in the Dutchman’s interest to race at Le Mans, and with the F1 regulations not pleasing him, McLaren could entice him with a fresh and exciting new project if Red Bull cannot convince him to stay on board.
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