{"id":1899658,"date":"2026-04-23T14:35:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T11:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899658"},"modified":"2026-04-23T14:35:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T11:35:14","slug":"zak-brown-bets-on-max-verstappen-mercedes-f1-move-as-he-shuts-down-mclaren-links","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899658","title":{"rendered":"Zak Brown &#8220;bets&#8221; on Max Verstappen Mercedes F1 move as he shuts down McLaren links"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397978_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Zak Brown &#8220;bets&#8221; on Max Verstappen Mercedes F1 move as he shuts down McLaren links<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>McLaren boss Zak Brown gives his verdict on Max Verstappen&#8217;s F1 future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-23T15:35:14+01:00\">23 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397978_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397978_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397978_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397978_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397978_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397978_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397978_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397978_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397978_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Verstappen&#8217;s future remains uncertain<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Zak Brown has shut down the prospect of Max Verstappen joining the McLaren Formula 1 team and has predicted he will end up signing for Mercedes.<\/p>\n<p>Questions remain over the future of Verstappen after the four-time world champion dropped the sensational bombshell after the Japanese Grand Prix that he could walk away from F1 at the end of the season due to his dislike of the 2026 regulations.<\/p>\n<p>In an enforced break that has seen F1 introduce revised rules in a bid to fix the 2026 problems, it was also announced that Verstappen\u2019s long-serving Red Bull race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join McLaren in 2028.<\/p>\n<p>Lambiase\u2019s impending departure to McLaren has led to suggestions that Verstappen could follow his ally in jumping ship, particularly after Red Bull\u2019s difficult start to the season that has seen the 28-year-old Dutchman finish no higher than sixth in the opening three races.<\/p>\n<p>But McLaren CEO Brown has poured cold water on the possibility of poaching Verstappen, insisting he is delighted with his current driver line-up of reigning world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;From McLaren&#8217;s point of view, I couldn&#8217;t be happier with Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri],&#8221; Brown told <em>Sky Sports F1<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have long-term agreements with them, and I think it&#8217;s the greatest driver pairing on and off the track. So we have no intention of replacing any of our two superstars.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-e717c2477893c0375af6406500e3cfe22c273768a5d16e80bb5876dfc42aeac6\">  Max Verstappen quit threats &#8216;the gauge&#8217; of F1 tweak success   Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cObviously, if one were to go away, then yeah, Max is a huge talent, but I&#8217;m not anticipating that.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhere might he go? If I had to bet, I&#8217;d say to Mercedes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The McLaren pair reacted to Verstappen\u2019s F1 quit threat while speaking to media including <em>Crash.net<\/em> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-fcc413abbdba9cf77af1192f2cf09c3e2d50e36e9cda59ea11c63cd3e045453e\">  Lambiase to be at McLaren &#8220;for a long time&#8221; as new role explained   Why Max Verstappen\u2019s father has &#8216;switched off the TV&#8217; when watching F1 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I think it would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, especially at this point in his career as well. I think it would be a big loss for the sport as a whole,&#8221; Piastri said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think for us as drivers, we want to race against the best and try and prove ourselves against the best.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Max has shown his calibre in the last 10 years, and I think especially in the last five or six, he&#8217;s been the benchmark.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So, I think for everyone it would be a pretty big shame and obviously not a great look.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Norris said: &#8220;Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants. He&#8217;s won four world championships, and he&#8217;s always been that guy.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;He probably is one of the best drivers you&#8217;ll see in Formula 1 ever.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It would be a shame for us because I think, as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he&#8217;s always good fun to race against. And it&#8217;s always cool to race against someone that&#8217;s won four world championships. It would be a loss for the sport.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hopefully things get better. And I also saw he said he wants to win a fifth world championship at the minute. So, you know, I&#8217;m sure he&#8217;ll stay longer than people say.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Max Verstappen<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Red Bull<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Max Verstappen quit threats &#8216;the gauge&#8217; of F1 tweak success<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-1e951b55e80f4860c3e045b8712d51629c5b2b9d98d2d0a007c2c6f99856cc4d\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-894a5b4d43946dcce9e3016a3deb537717ee06675ec81f79228b50fd69bc5cc5\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Max Verstappen F1 career decision prediction made by Jenson Button<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776775402\"> 21\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397889_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen's F1 future is in the spotlight \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Key Max Verstappen ally&#8217;s F1 exit a &#8220;defining moment&#8221; for Red Bull<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776763800\"> 21\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1396596_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen will lose another key ally in Lambiase\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Surprise safety admission from beneficiary of banned F1 engine trick<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776675107\"> 20\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/m589247_f1_grand_prix_of_japan_practice.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Mercedes and Red Bull both used the engine trick \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Max Verstappen baffled by \u201cstrange\u201d car damage in NLS5<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776674692\"> 20\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202603250266.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen took victory on-the-road on his previous visit to the Nurburgring\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Car damage denies Max Verstappen NLS5 victory chance<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776611416\"> 19\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603250269_3.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen is preparing to tackle the legendary Nurburgring 24 Hours\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>WATCH LIVE: Max Verstappen tackles NLS5 as racing continues in wake of tragedy<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776595620\"> 19\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/jpeg-bild.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Max Verstappen, NLS2\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>McLaren boss Zak Brown gives his verdict on Max Verstappen&#8217;s F1 future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Zak Brown has shut down the prospect of Max Verstappen joining the McLaren Formula 1 team and has predicted he will end up signing for Mercedes.<\/p>\n<p>Questions remain over the future of Verstappen after the four-time world champion dropped the sensational bombshell after the Japanese Grand Prix that he could walk away from F1 at the end of the season due to his dislike of the 2026 regulations.<\/p>\n<p>In an enforced break that has seen F1 introduce revised rules in a bid to fix the 2026 problems, it was also announced that Verstappen\u2019s long-serving Red Bull race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join McLaren in 2028.<\/p>\n<p>Lambiase\u2019s impending departure to McLaren has led to suggestions that Verstappen could follow his ally in jumping ship, particularly after Red Bull\u2019s difficult start to the season that has seen the 28-year-old Dutchman finish no higher than sixth in the opening three races.<\/p>\n<p>But McLaren CEO Brown has poured cold water on the possibility of poaching Verstappen, insisting he is delighted with his current driver line-up of reigning world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;From McLaren&#8217;s point of view, I couldn&#8217;t be happier with Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri],&#8221; Brown told <em>Sky Sports F1<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have long-term agreements with them, and I think it&#8217;s the greatest driver pairing on and off the track. So we have no intention of replacing any of our two superstars.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-e717c2477893c0375af6406500e3cfe22c273768a5d16e80bb5876dfc42aeac6\">  Max Verstappen quit threats &#8216;the gauge&#8217; of F1 tweak success   Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cObviously, if one were to go away, then yeah, Max is a huge talent, but I&#8217;m not anticipating that.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhere might he go? If I had to bet, I&#8217;d say to Mercedes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The McLaren pair reacted to Verstappen\u2019s F1 quit threat while speaking to media including <em>Crash.net<\/em> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-fcc413abbdba9cf77af1192f2cf09c3e2d50e36e9cda59ea11c63cd3e045453e\">  Lambiase to be at McLaren &#8220;for a long time&#8221; as new role explained   Why Max Verstappen\u2019s father has &#8216;switched off the TV&#8217; when watching F1 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I think it would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, especially at this point in his career as well. I think it would be a big loss for the sport as a whole,&#8221; Piastri said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think for us as drivers, we want to race against the best and try and prove ourselves against the best.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Max has shown his calibre in the last 10 years, and I think especially in the last five or six, he&#8217;s been the benchmark.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So, I think for everyone it would be a pretty big shame and obviously not a great look.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Norris said: &#8220;Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants. He&#8217;s won four world championships, and he&#8217;s always been that guy.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;He probably is one of the best drivers you&#8217;ll see in Formula 1 ever.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It would be a shame for us because I think, as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he&#8217;s always good fun to race against. And it&#8217;s always cool to race against someone that&#8217;s won four world championships. It would be a loss for the sport.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hopefully things get better. And I also saw he said he wants to win a fifth world championship at the minute. So, you know, I&#8217;m sure he&#8217;ll stay longer than people say.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Zak Brown has shut down the prospect of Max Verstappen joining the McLaren Formula 1 team and has predicted he will end up signing for Mercedes.<\/p>\n<p>Questions remain over the future of Verstappen after the four-time world champion dropped the sensational bombshell after the Japanese Grand Prix that he could walk away from F1 at the end of the season due to his dislike of the 2026 regulations.<\/p>\n<p>In an enforced break that has seen F1 introduce revised rules in a bid to fix the 2026 problems, it was also announced that Verstappen\u2019s long-serving Red Bull race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join McLaren in 2028.<\/p>\n<p>Lambiase\u2019s impending departure to McLaren has led to suggestions that Verstappen could follow his ally in jumping ship, particularly after Red Bull\u2019s difficult start to the season that has seen the 28-year-old Dutchman finish no higher than sixth in the opening three races.<\/p>\n<p>But McLaren CEO Brown has poured cold water on the possibility of poaching Verstappen, insisting he is delighted with his current driver line-up of reigning world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;From McLaren&#8217;s point of view, I couldn&#8217;t be happier with Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri],&#8221; Brown told <em>Sky Sports F1<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have long-term agreements with them, and I think it&#8217;s the greatest driver pairing on and off the track. So we have no intention of replacing any of our two superstars.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-e717c2477893c0375af6406500e3cfe22c273768a5d16e80bb5876dfc42aeac6\">  Max Verstappen quit threats &#8216;the gauge&#8217; of F1 tweak success   Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cObviously, if one were to go away, then yeah, Max is a huge talent, but I&#8217;m not anticipating that.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhere might he go? If I had to bet, I&#8217;d say to Mercedes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The McLaren pair reacted to Verstappen\u2019s F1 quit threat while speaking to media including <em>Crash.net<\/em> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-fcc413abbdba9cf77af1192f2cf09c3e2d50e36e9cda59ea11c63cd3e045453e\">  Lambiase to be at McLaren &#8220;for a long time&#8221; as new role explained   Why Max Verstappen\u2019s father has &#8216;switched off the TV&#8217; when watching F1 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I think it would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, especially at this point in his career as well. I think it would be a big loss for the sport as a whole,&#8221; Piastri said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think for us as drivers, we want to race against the best and try and prove ourselves against the best.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Max has shown his calibre in the last 10 years, and I think especially in the last five or six, he&#8217;s been the benchmark.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So, I think for everyone it would be a pretty big shame and obviously not a great look.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Norris said: &#8220;Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants. He&#8217;s won four world championships, and he&#8217;s always been that guy.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;He probably is one of the best drivers you&#8217;ll see in Formula 1 ever.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It would be a shame for us because I think, as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he&#8217;s always good fun to race against. And it&#8217;s always cool to race against someone that&#8217;s won four world championships. It would be a loss for the sport.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hopefully things get better. And I also saw he said he wants to win a fifth world championship at the minute. So, you know, I&#8217;m sure he&#8217;ll stay longer than people say.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1093320\/1\/zak-brown-bets-max-verstappen-mercedes-f1-move-he-shuts-down-mclaren-links&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397978_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Zak Brown &#8220;bets&#8221; on Max Verstappen Mercedes F1 move as he shuts down McLaren links McLaren boss Zak Brown gives his verdict on Max Verstappen&#8217;s F1 future. Lewis Larkam 23 Apr 2026 Share Verstappen&#8217;s future remains uncertain Add as a preferred source Zak Brown has shut down the prospect of Max Verstappen [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1899658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1899658"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899658\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1899658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1899658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1899658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}