Zak Brown has addressed rumors of McLaren potentially pursuing Max Verstappen following the announcement of Gianpiero Lambiase's future move to the team. Brown emphasized satisfaction with McLaren's current driver lineup, dismissing immediate plans for changes.
Zak Brown has tackled speculation about whether McLaren's acquisition of Gianpiero Lambiase might eventually lure Max Verstappen to the team. Lambiase, Verstappen’s trusted race engineer since his rise at Red Bull in 2016, will join McLaren in 2028, leaving many to wonder if Verstappen might follow suit.
Lambiase and Verstappen have cultivated a formidable partnership at Red Bull, with Lambiase also serving as the Head of Racing. The move to McLaren as Chief Racing Officer was announced recently, and Verstappen has expressed his blessings, praising their rare chemistry.
With the rumor mill buzzing during the Miami Grand Prix, Brown was asked by _Sky Sports F1_ if Lambiase’s upcoming role could pave the way for Verstappen. Brown responded, "I couldn’t be happier with our driver line-up. Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri] are not just exceptional on the track, but they bring great chemistry to the team."
When prodded about Verstappen potentially topping McLaren’s wishlist if a vacancy arises, Brown admitted, "He’s an awesome racing driver, so if a gap opened up, that’s a different conversation. Of course, when you see his talent, he’s an obvious choice, but I’m delighted with our current setup."
Brown also highlighted other standout talents like Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Kimi Antonelli, acknowledging their impressive performances. "I almost feel like Kimi’s the championship favorite right now, but things change fast in this sport," Brown noted.
Both Norris and Piastri are secured with long-term contracts at McLaren. Norris is now in his eighth season, while Piastri joined in 2023. Brown’s comments suggest that McLaren is content with its current drivers, leaving any potential Verstappen move as a distant hypothetical rather than an imminent plan.