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Amid all the noise about Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, McLaren CEO Zak Brown seems to be fanning the flames.
Verstappen reportedly held ‘hush-hush’ talks with McLaren over the last few weeks, as he seems to be growing ever frustrated with Red Bull’s inability to be in the top mix this season.
Even though sources suggest Verstappen will stay with Red Bull, there is still a lot of uncertainty about the Dutch driver’s future.
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Landing a driver as talented and accomplished as Max Verstappen would certainly be a huge coup for Zak Brown and McLaren.
And even though the team are currently happy with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Brown has warned Red Bull they can’t afford to slip up in their attempt to keep hold of Verstappen.
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Zak Brown gives his verdict on pursuing Max Verstappen if he chooses to leave Red Bull
Speaking to Sky Sports just moments before the Austrian Grand Prix, Zak Brown was asked about the future of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri amid rumours of them making way for Max Verstappen.
While Brown suggested neither Norris nor Piastri were likely to leave, he did warn Red Bull that McLaren wouldn’t hesitate to pursue Verstappen.
“I’d be very surprised if Lando or Oscar went elsewhere. They’re very happy, we have contracts, but even contracts aside, we’re very happy with them.
“If for some strange reason someone slipped on a banana peel getting out of the tub, then yeah, of course, Max is a four-time World Champion.”
It’s clear that Brown is continuing the mind games over Verstappen, but one has to wonder whether he’s just trying to coax Red Bull into making a bad decision.
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Zak Brown and McLaren have tough Max Verstappen decision to make
There is some speculation that the news about Verstappen’s meeting with McLaren was leaked by Brown to try and throw gasoline on the situation between the four-time world champion and Red Bull.
But this move may have had a negative effect on their own team dynamics, as Mark Webber didn’t give a straight answer on Piastri’s potential McLaren exit amid the Verstappen rumours.
Whatever the case may be, it is time for McLaren to make one decision and stick to it, as their seeming indecisiveness over Verstappen looks like it could cost the team one of their drivers.
If they do plan on pursuing Verstappen, now is the time to begin overtures. If not, they must ensure their drivers are secured for years beyond 2028.
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