Zak Brown makes daring Max Verstappen claim amid rampant McLaren rumours

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has made clear he would move for Max Verstappen if McLaren had space for another driver, but insists Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have already proven they can beat the four-time F1 drivers' champion on merit.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Up To Speed podcast with Will Buxton, Brown addressed the speculation linking Verstappen with a move to McLaren, which intensified over the Austrian Grand Prix weekend when reports emerged of a possible deal.

Asked directly whether he wanted to sign Verstappen, Brown did not flinch. "Well, I've got two awesome racing drivers, so if I had a third car, I'd sign them in a heartbeat," the American said.

And when pressed on whether he would replace either Norris or Piastri to make room, Brown was emphatic in response, saying: "Lando and Oscar have their names engraved on their race seat, and they haven't emptied out their lockers, so they're not going anywhere."

Brown's comments on the podcast echoed what he said during the weekend at the Red Bull Ring, when he joked that only a freak scenario would open up a McLaren seat.

He repeated the point to Buxton, while making clear that changing his line-up is not part of the plan.

"I'm not making any driver changes... I said at the weekend, if someone slips on a banana peel, which is not the plan! Then yeah," he explained.

"Any racing series is about getting the best drivers in the world and giving them the best equipment. So, Max is an awesome talent, but I think Lando and Oscar have both demonstrated they can beat him straight up."

Speculation that refuses to die

It is a bold claim, though not without foundation. Norris and Piastri won seven grands prix each in 2025, underlining the strength of McLaren's driver pairing as the team wrapped up its second successive constructors' crown.

Norris went on to win the drivers' championship, beating Verstappen by two points in a title fight that went to the final race in Abu Dhabi, with Piastri also in mathematical contention heading into the decider.

And the rumour mill has been relentless.

Reports over the event in Spielberg suggested a bombshell swap deal could see Verstappen join McLaren with Piastri moving in the opposite direction, while it was also mooted that Red Bull has identified the Australian as its preferred replacement should the 71-time grand prix winner depart.

Verstappen remains contracted to the Milton Keynes-based team until the end of 2028, though performance-related exit clauses exist within the deal.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies moved quickly to dismiss the speculation in Austria, insisting that Verstappen wants to stay.

For his part, Piastri has called the Red Bull links flattering but confirmed there have been no discussions, adding: "I've got a good relationship with McLaren, so why change?"

Brown, too, has closed the door firmly on a potential switch. While still acknowledging the reality of the driver market, he reiterated his stance, concluding: "No, I don’t have a seat available. If a seat was available, then of course you have that conversation."