Max Verstappen remains contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, yet his future has once again become the dominant storyline consuming the Formula 1 paddock.
Earlier in the season, the main concern was whether Verstappen would continue in Formula 1 at all, given his dissatisfaction with the technical regulations introduced for 2026.
Step-by-step adjustments toward a 60-40 regulation split in 2028 have largely neutralised that threat, shifting the conversation toward which team the four-time world champion will actually race for.
After the Daily Mail reported on informal talks between Verstappen and McLaren, the Dutchman was quizzed on his future during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend in Spielberg.
“They know, but I don’t need to talk too much about it,” Verstappen said after qualifying, referring to Red Bull’s awareness of what is needed to retain him beyond the current contract.
People representing McLaren in the paddock have not denied that informal conversations have taken place, though they point out such discussions are entirely normal at this level.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown addressed the situation diplomatically, telling Sky Sports F1: “I would be very surprised if Lando or Oscar went elsewhere because they are very happy.”
Brown added: “If for some strange reason, someone slipped on a banana peel getting out of the tub, then of course Max is a four-time world champion,” stopping short of ruling anything out.
Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that the intention remains to stay at Red Bull, but stressed that Verstappen “wasn’t born to race in the midfield.”
Verstappen’s average qualifying position of 7.4 this season technically qualifies as midfield, though Red Bull’s progress in Austria offered some encouragement for the camp moving forward.
With just three race weekends before the summer break, Verstappen could realistically activate an exit clause related to his championship position in August if he falls outside the top positions in the standings.
Mercedes appears to have closed its door for 2027, with Toto Wolff stating the team does not want to change its line-up and George Russell confirming he will “100%” drive for the Silver Arrows next year.
Ferrari also looks settled, with Charles Leclerc having signed a new contract before the Monaco Grand Prix that keeps him at the Scuderia into the 2030s.
Aston Martin, another team previously linked with Verstappen, has emerged as a significant underperformer under the new regulations, narrowing the list of credible destinations considerably.
Former Red Bull figures Rob Marshall, Will Courtenay, and Gianpiero Lambiase either already work at McLaren or, in Lambiase’s case, are set to join the team in 2028, strengthening any potential connection.
Some paddock sources suggest a stake in Red Bull itself cannot be ruled out as part of any future arrangement, which would be unprecedented for an active driver in the modern era.
Verstappen’s freedom to pursue activities outside Formula 1, including GT3 programmes and sim racing projects, is also a major consideration in any decision he makes about his future team.
Red Bull has two clear priorities if it wants to keep Verstappen: continue productive dialogue behind the scenes and keep developing the RB22 into a genuine championship-contending machine.
The upgrade packages introduced in Miami and Spielberg have reduced a deficit that was once a full second per lap down to just a few tenths, though Verstappen insists more progress is needed.
With time still on his side and leverage available on multiple fronts, Verstappen appears in no rush to show his hand publicly any time soon.