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Why Gianpiero Lambiase isn’t the only ace McLaren could play to lure Max Verstappen from F1 rival Red Bull
McLaren has a glorious chance to sign Max Verstappen if it wishes, writes Lewis Larkam.
If McLaren wants to land the best driver on the Formula 1 grid and prize Max Verstappen away from Red Bull, now would be the perfect time.
The four-time world champion is dissatisfied with the direction F1 has taken with its new rules, and his frustrations have only been exacerbated by Red Bull’s lacklustre start in 2026. The former world champion squad is lagging well behind the current benchmark Mercedes, both in terms of its RB22 and brand new power unit.
Verstappen is said to be considering his future and has opened the door to the possibility he could sensationally walk away from F1 at the end of the season, such is the level of his current displeasure.
A shock twist in the Verstappen saga was delivered on Thursday with the news that his long-serving race engineer, and close ally, Gianpiero Lambiase, is to leave Red Bull upon the expiry of his current contract and join McLaren in 2028.
The unforeseen move has sent shockwaves through the F1 paddock and will undoubtedly have repercussions for Red Bull and Verstappen.
Perhaps there is another scenario for Verstappen’s future – one that sees him leave Red Bull for McLaren.
This could be immediate, given the Dutchman has the means to facilitate a move elsewhere on the grid thanks to an exit clause that would enable him to leave Red Bull. While the details are kept private, it is understood Verstappen could walk away from Red Bull if he is not in the top two in the drivers’ championship by the summer break.
Considering Verstappen is already 51 points behind George Russell in the standings, and given Mercedes’ current supremacy, that is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Such a move would rock the driver market and leave McLaren facing a major dilemma with its line-up. Reigning world champion Lando Norris is locked in until at least the end of 2027, while team-mate Oscar Piastri signed a new long-term deal last year that is thought to commit him until the end of 2028.
In order to sign Verstappen for 2027, McLaren would have to terminate one of its driver’s contracts early. This would be a ruthless move (one it has done before with Daniel Ricciardo), but a potentially key one to ensure the capture of a phenomenon like Verstappen.
The opportunity to reunite with Lambiase in 2028 would surely appeal to Verstappen, but given the current state of F1 and his unhappiness, there could be an alternative option that better suits all parties involved.
Zak Brown could play his ultimate trump card by offering Verstappen a seat with McLaren’s new Hypercar programme for 2027.
This would enable Verstappen to take a year-sabbatical from F1 while improvements are made to the regulations and enjoy some sportscar racing in the World Endurance Championship, including the opportunity to race at the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours.
Verstappen, who will make his 24-hour race debut next month at the Nurburgring, has spoken of his desire to one day take part in sportscar racing’s blue riband event. That could become a reality for him as early as next year. So far, McLaren has only filled one of its two seats for its WEC Hypercar programme.
Then, in 2028, McLaren could provide Verstappen the option to return to F1 and once more join forces with Lambiase.
Such a move would see Verstappen follow in a similar path to the one Fernando Alonso took when he left F1 (and, ironically, McLaren) at the end of 2018 to explore his other motorsport ambitions.
It is worth noting that Ford also has a Hypercar programme launching next year, but given everything that is happening in F1 currently, it might not be enough to keep Verstappen linked to Red Bull.
With the best interests of McLaren at heart, it would be foolish for Brown to not at the very least be monitoring Verstappen’s situation closely.
For so long all the talk has been of Verstappen joining Mercedes, but is it McLaren that now hold all the aces?
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McLaren has a glorious chance to sign Max Verstappen if it wishes, writes Lewis Larkam.
If McLaren wants to land the best driver on the Formula 1 grid and prize Max Verstappen away from Red Bull, now would be the perfect time.
The four-time world champion is dissatisfied with the direction F1 has taken with its new rules, and his frustrations have only been exacerbated by Red Bull’s lacklustre start in 2026. The former world champion squad is lagging well behind the current benchmark Mercedes, both in terms of its RB22 and brand new power unit.
Verstappen is said to be considering his future and has opened the door to the possibility he could sensationally walk away from F1 at the end of the season, such is the level of his current displeasure.
A shock twist in the Verstappen saga was delivered on Thursday with the news that his long-serving race engineer, and close ally, Gianpiero Lambiase, is to leave Red Bull upon the expiry of his current contract and join McLaren in 2028.
The unforeseen move has sent shockwaves through the F1 paddock and will undoubtedly have repercussions for Red Bull and Verstappen.
Perhaps there is another scenario for Verstappen’s future – one that sees him leave Red Bull for McLaren.
This could be immediate, given the Dutchman has the means to facilitate a move elsewhere on the grid thanks to an exit clause that would enable him to leave Red Bull. While the details are kept private, it is understood Verstappen could walk away from Red Bull if he is not in the top two in the drivers’ championship by the summer break.
Considering Verstappen is already 51 points behind George Russell in the standings, and given Mercedes’ current supremacy, that is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Such a move would rock the driver market and leave McLaren facing a major dilemma with its line-up. Reigning world champion Lando Norris is locked in until at least the end of 2027, while team-mate Oscar Piastri signed a new long-term deal last year that is thought to commit him until the end of 2028.
In order to sign Verstappen for 2027, McLaren would have to terminate one of its driver’s contracts early. This would be a ruthless move (one it has done before with Daniel Ricciardo), but a potentially key one to ensure the capture of a phenomenon like Verstappen.
The opportunity to reunite with Lambiase in 2028 would surely appeal to Verstappen, but given the current state of F1 and his unhappiness, there could be an alternative option that better suits all parties involved.
Zak Brown could play his ultimate trump card by offering Verstappen a seat with McLaren’s new Hypercar programme for 2027.
This would enable Verstappen to take a year-sabbatical from F1 while improvements are made to the regulations and enjoy some sportscar racing in the World Endurance Championship, including the opportunity to race at the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours.
Verstappen, who will make his 24-hour race debut next month at the Nurburgring, has spoken of his desire to one day take part in sportscar racing’s blue riband event. That could become a reality for him as early as next year. So far, McLaren has only filled one of its two seats for its WEC Hypercar programme.
Then, in 2028, McLaren could provide Verstappen the option to return to F1 and once more join forces with Lambiase.
Such a move would see Verstappen follow in a similar path to the one Fernando Alonso took when he left F1 (and, ironically, McLaren) at the end of 2018 to explore his other motorsport ambitions.
It is worth noting that Ford also has a Hypercar programme launching next year, but given everything that is happening in F1 currently, it might not be enough to keep Verstappen linked to Red Bull.
With the best interests of McLaren at heart, it would be foolish for Brown to not at the very least be monitoring Verstappen’s situation closely.
For so long all the talk has been of Verstappen joining Mercedes, but is it McLaren that now hold all the aces?
If McLaren wants to land the best driver on the Formula 1 grid and prize Max Verstappen away from Red Bull, now would be the perfect time.
The four-time world champion is dissatisfied with the direction F1 has taken with its new rules, and his frustrations have only been exacerbated by Red Bull’s lacklustre start in 2026. The former world champion squad is lagging well behind the current benchmark Mercedes, both in terms of its RB22 and brand new power unit.
Verstappen is said to be considering his future and has opened the door to the possibility he could sensationally walk away from F1 at the end of the season, such is the level of his current displeasure.
A shock twist in the Verstappen saga was delivered on Thursday with the news that his long-serving race engineer, and close ally, Gianpiero Lambiase, is to leave Red Bull upon the expiry of his current contract and join McLaren in 2028.
The unforeseen move has sent shockwaves through the F1 paddock and will undoubtedly have repercussions for Red Bull and Verstappen.
Perhaps there is another scenario for Verstappen’s future – one that sees him leave Red Bull for McLaren.
This could be immediate, given the Dutchman has the means to facilitate a move elsewhere on the grid thanks to an exit clause that would enable him to leave Red Bull. While the details are kept private, it is understood Verstappen could walk away from Red Bull if he is not in the top two in the drivers’ championship by the summer break.
Considering Verstappen is already 51 points behind George Russell in the standings, and given Mercedes’ current supremacy, that is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Such a move would rock the driver market and leave McLaren facing a major dilemma with its line-up. Reigning world champion Lando Norris is locked in until at least the end of 2027, while team-mate Oscar Piastri signed a new long-term deal last year that is thought to commit him until the end of 2028.
In order to sign Verstappen for 2027, McLaren would have to terminate one of its driver’s contracts early. This would be a ruthless move (one it has done before with Daniel Ricciardo), but a potentially key one to ensure the capture of a phenomenon like Verstappen.
The opportunity to reunite with Lambiase in 2028 would surely appeal to Verstappen, but given the current state of F1 and his unhappiness, there could be an alternative option that better suits all parties involved.
Zak Brown could play his ultimate trump card by offering Verstappen a seat with McLaren’s new Hypercar programme for 2027.
This would enable Verstappen to take a year-sabbatical from F1 while improvements are made to the regulations and enjoy some sportscar racing in the World Endurance Championship, including the opportunity to race at the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours.
Verstappen, who will make his 24-hour race debut next month at the Nurburgring, has spoken of his desire to one day take part in sportscar racing’s blue riband event. That could become a reality for him as early as next year. So far, McLaren has only filled one of its two seats for its WEC Hypercar programme.
Then, in 2028, McLaren could provide Verstappen the option to return to F1 and once more join forces with Lambiase.
Such a move would see Verstappen follow in a similar path to the one Fernando Alonso took when he left F1 (and, ironically, McLaren) at the end of 2018 to explore his other motorsport ambitions.
It is worth noting that Ford also has a Hypercar programme launching next year, but given everything that is happening in F1 currently, it might not be enough to keep Verstappen linked to Red Bull.
With the best interests of McLaren at heart, it would be foolish for Brown to not at the very least be monitoring Verstappen’s situation closely.
For so long all the talk has been of Verstappen joining Mercedes, but is it McLaren that now hold all the aces?
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