Zak Brown Rejects Max Verstappen to McLaren Speculation Amid GianPiero Lambiase’s Move to Woking

McLaren CEO Zak Brown plays down rumors of Max Verstappen joining the team, suggesting the Red Bull driver is more likely to sign with Mercedes for 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

The Lambiase Factor Sparks Fresh Transfer Speculation

The Formula 1 paddock has been abuzz with rumors of a potential reunion between Max Verstappen and his veteran race engineer, GianPiero Lambiase, following McLaren's successful recruitment of the latter. Lambiase, a cornerstone of Verstappen’s championship successes at Red Bull, is slated to join the Woking-based outfit no later than 2028. This administrative shift immediately fueled theories that Verstappen might seek a move to McLaren to maintain one of the sport's most successful technical partnerships. However, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has acted quickly to dampen these expectations, focusing instead on the stability of his existing roster.

Brown Affirms Commitment to Norris and Piastri

During an interview with Sky F1, Brown emphasized his total satisfaction with McLaren’s current "superstar" pairing of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. He described the duo as the greatest driver pairing both on and off the track, noting that the team has secured long-term agreements with both athletes. According to Brown, McLaren has no intention of disrupting this harmony to accommodate external talent, even one of Verstappen’s caliber. By publicly backing his drivers, Brown is attempting to maintain internal morale while navigating the external noise of a volatile 2026 driver market.

Red Bull’s Early Season Struggles and Contract Clauses

The speculation surrounding Verstappen is grounded in a difficult start to the 2026 season for Red Bull Racing. The team has struggled to adapt to the new technical regulations, leaving Verstappen in a lowly ninth place in the Drivers’ Championship with only 12 points after three rounds. While his current contract extends through 2028, it is widely understood to contain performance-related exit clauses that could be triggered if the team fails to provide a competitive car. These struggles, combined with Verstappen's public frustration regarding the lack of "enjoyment" under the 2026 rules, have made his departure feel more plausible to industry observers.