Zak Brown could secretly ‘imagine’ signing ‘fantastic’ F1 star to replace one of his McLaren drivers

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McLaren CEO Zak Brown is about to watch his team win back-to-back constructors’ championships, and either one of his drivers will become a Formula 1 champion for the first time this season.

Oscar Piastri is currently leading his teammate Lando Norris by 31 points going into the drivers’ championship.

The pair have been exceptional this season, and as a result, McLaren could win the constructors’ championship at the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

However, Zak Brown will know that McLaren can’t afford to stand still just because they’re in a dominant position right now.

The upcoming regulation changes could see McLaren fall down the pecking order, even if their power unit supplier, Mercedes, are expected to be the strongest engine manufacturer in 2026 and beyond.

Team principal Andrea Stella will be in constant discussions with Brown about the next steps required to maintain their dominance over the rest of the field.

What Brown might not have mentioned is his desire to potentially bring in another driver to cement their position at the top of Formula 1.

READ MORE: All you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

Zak Brown could secretly ‘imagine’ signing Max Verstappen for McLaren

A report from F1 Insider has provided more details on Brown’s admiration for Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen.

Although a four-time world champion, Verstappen has been an occasional scourge for McLaren to deal with this season.

He frustrated both McLaren drivers for the entirety of the Japanese Grand Prix, before Piastri admitted to making an error at the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, allowing Verstappen to pass him around the outside of the first corner.

The most recent race at Monza was another example of what Verstappen can do in a competitive car, winning the race by nearly 20 seconds.

Brown was recently quoted, as per F1 Insider, as being ‘more than satisfied’ with his two McLaren drivers, but from a personal point of view, he explained: “I would love to have Max as a teammate in endurance racing.

“He recently showed how fast he is on the Nordschleife under a pseudonym.”

McLaren will enter the World Endurance Championship from 2027, and speaking about the possibility of getting Verstappen to join the team, Brown admitted: “Max is a fantastic driver, a four-time champion for a reason. Working with him? Who knows, one day…”

F1 Insider goes on to report that Brown ‘could imagine’ Verstappen racing for McLaren, but he ‘doesn’t want to, or isn’t allowed to, say so publicly.’

Verstappen and Brown joked at the end of last season about the competitiveness of their cars, and the report goes on to say that Brown ‘loosely approached’ Jos Verstappen after the Dutchman’s fourth championship triumph.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Which teams are interested in signing Max Verstappen from Red Bull?

The simple answer to this question is that every team would sign Verstappen if they were offered him.

However, several more realistic options have emerged should Verstappen decide to leave Red Bull.

F1 Oversteers sources understand that Mercedes are angling George Russell’s new contract to accommodate Verstappen if he decides to switch teams in 2027.

Aston Martin have admired Verstappen for some time, and the connection with Honda and Adrian Newey could entice him to make the switch if they nail the new regulations.

The other team to keep an eye on is Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton’s deal potentially expiring at the end of next year.

Ferrari are said to be at the ‘forefront’ of Verstappen’s mind after the reception he received for winning the Italian Grand Prix.

Brown might be an admirer of Verstappen, but he faces plenty of competition for his signature.