Zak Brown just hinted why McLaren would never sign Max Verstappen in Formula 1

Follow us on Google Discover

Max Verstappen claimed that he would have won the 2025 Formula 1 championship in McLaren’s car ‘easily’, but that statement is not likely to actually happen in the future.

The Dutchman finished just two points behind Lando Norris in the standings, coming back from a 104-point gap at the Dutch GP. Red Bull gave their all in the second half of the season, but came up short at the final hurdle.

Losing his No.1 plate, the four-time champion will be looking to dethrone his rivals in 2026. But the new regulations present a huge challenge, especially for Red Bull, who will become an engine manufacturer next season.

Give Max Verstappen’s 2025 Formula 1 season a rating out of 10

Is there anything he could have done better this year?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Verstappen will also be without Helmut Marko, with his close ally leaving the team at the end of the year. Furthermore, McLaren seem to be looking good in 2026, which will make his title charge all the more difficult.

Rumours have been rife about the 28-year-old’s future in F1, with Verstappen having an exit clause in his contract that will allow him to leave Red Bull if he is not in the top two of the championship. Ahead of 2026, a move to McLaren seems to already be off the table.

Zak Brown hints McLaren will never sign Max Verstappen because they want a ‘two-car team’

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has always reiterated that Norris and Oscar Piastri are the best driver pairing on the grid, and that they create the ‘two-car team’ that he wants to have in Woking.

Discussing his team on talkSPORT, Brown stated that there are ‘great drivers’ that the team would not sign as they do not fit the culture. When Verstappen came up in conversation, the McLaren boss said that he is a ‘one-car team’, hinting that any move will never happen.

“Absolutely. There are drivers, great drivers that we would not have at McLaren because they don’t fit our culture,” he said.

“Max is an amazing driver, but you know, that’s a one-car team, and we want to have a two-car team. I think Max Verstappen’s a big personality, unbelievable driver, but I don’t think, the driver combo we have, there’s a better combo on the grid.

“And I think part of the secret sauce of them getting along is the characters, who they are, and that’s one of the big reasons why we selected them.”

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

Oscar Piastri rumours could see McLaren’s driver line-up change in 2027

While Brown has seemingly ruled out signing Verstappen, there could be movement at McLaren in 2027 following the fallout of the 2025 championship.

Norris beat Piastri by 13 points, having been 24 points behind after the race at Zandvoort. Individual errors did not help the Australian, but Piastri’s camp think he ‘came off worse’ far too often with McLaren’s team orders in 2025.

Now that Norris is champion, Juan Pablo Montoya thinks Piastri has a ‘big question’ to ask McLaren. He may wonder if the team will change and his teammate is favoured more, which adds to the speculation that the 24-year-old could leave at the end of 2026.

Paddock rumours from Abu Dhabi suggest that Piastri is ‘looking to join’ Red Bull in 2027, potentially replacing Verstappen. Ferrari have also been linked with the Aussie, as he is said to be considering his options.