Max Verstappen as a teammate? That’s what Lando Norris says

“To be honest, a lot of drivers want to go to McLaren. I don’t know why only Max is singled out?” said an amused Norris about alleged negotiations before his home Grand Prix in Great Britain on Sunday (4 p.m. / ORF1) in Silverstone.

It would be cool if a four-time world champion would come, “even if I don’t know how much of it is true. If the opportunity arises to drive with other drivers, I like that,” said the Englishman, who won in front of his own audience at Silverstone last season.

Verstappen and the exit clause

Verstappen is not interested in all this talk. “I don’t want to comment on that. I’ve already said before: If we do something new or different, then you’ll hear it from me and not from someone else. I’m just concentrating on the job with my team,” the Dutchman clarified.

Norris, his teammate, still has a contract with McLaren until at least 2027 Oscar Piastri is also employed long-term. Speculation about an early departure from Verstappen, who is tied to Red Bull until 2028, has been going on for a long time. According to reports, the 28-year-old has an exit clause.

Last weekend in Spielberg, McLaren and Mercedes, which are repeatedly discussed as possible future employers, countered rumors about Verstappen’s commitment for the new season.

Mercedes “doesn’t want to change anything”

“Our plan is not to change anything in the driver pairing,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. “It is important for us that we now have stability.” World Cup leaders Kimi Antonelli and his first pursuer George Russell form the driver pairing for the Silver Arrows. Verstappen is only in seventh place in the standings.

McLaren managing director Zak Brown said: “We do have contracts, but even if you ignore the contracts: They feel very comfortable here and we are very happy with them.” While Mercedes has built a fast racing car with the introduction of the new rules, McLaren, which competes with drives from the German engine manufacturer, has lost touch with the leaders.