Max Verstappen rumoured to leave Red Bull for McLaren, replacing Oscar Piastri

Max Verstappen is reportedly unhappy with the new Formula 1 regulations. Despite being on track for a fifth consecutive world championship with Red Bull, he has only secured two podiums in the first seven races of 2026, placing him seventh in the overall standings. The Dutchman had previously stated that his work with the team, his "second family," was the primary reason for continuing in the sport. However, current rumours suggest he might be preparing to leave the Red Bull family permanently.

On Tuesday, PlanetF1 reported that McLaren and Max Verstappen are in the final stages of lengthy negotiations, according to "multiple paddock sources."

The publication explains that after Verstappen's rear wing failure during the British Grand Prix on Sunday and his failure to score points, it is now mathematically impossible for him to be in the top two of the drivers' championship before the summer break. This could allow him to activate an exit clause, giving him the freedom to discuss with other teams.

Reportedly, Red Bull attempted to buy out this termination clause from Verstappen, but he refused. This has angered Red Bull management, as their star driver is unwilling to commit his future to the team, despite Red Bull believing they have done more than enough to earn Verstappen's trust.

The agreement between Verstappen and McLaren is said to be "imminent," according to some sources.

McLaren's choice would be logical, as one of Verstappen's closest friends at Red Bull, his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, with whom he has worked since 2016, has already signed with McLaren, although he will only join the team after the 2027 season. Other key figures from Red Bull are expected to leave soon, or have already departed, such as Rob Marshall, the current technical director at McLaren.

If "Mad Max" were to leave Red Bull, he would likely swap places with Australian Oscar Piastri at McLaren, who is also reportedly dissatisfied with the team after failing to win the championship last year. "Discussions between Verstappen and McLaren regarding the seat currently occupied by the Australian have progressed significantly – to the point where well-informed sources suggest an agreement, initially for three years, is 'imminent'," PlanetF1 indicated. It remains to be seen if Verstappen will end up racing for McLaren in 2027, which would be the biggest shock in F1 since Hamilton's departure from Mercedes to join Ferrari.