F1’s silly season is firmly in full swing, with major developments surrounding Max Verstappen, Audi, and the 2027 driver market all emerging this week.
Former F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has issued a warning to Verstappen over a potential switch to McLaren, citing their engine situation as a key concern.
Steiner pointed out that McLaren remains a Mercedes customer for power units, while Red Bull now controls its own destiny through its partnership with Ford.
Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Steiner explained: “I think Red Bull has got one advantage – they’ve got their own engine now, which is an advantage.”
He added: “McLaren is doing very well having a Mercedes customer engine, but in the end, that would be the only possibility. And I don’t know if that possibility even exists.”
Verstappen, a four-time world champion, has been heavily linked with a departure from Red Bull after an exit clause in his current contract became active.
Meanwhile, Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto has moved to quash persistent rumours linking Carlos Sainz to the German manufacturer’s second seat for 2027.
The 21-year-old Brazilian told Motorsport Brasil: “As far as I can say, because it’s something that’s confidential, but let’s say there are no clauses. I have a long-term contract with Audi.”
Bortoleto went further, saying: “The intention, and I’ve always said this from the beginning, is a long-term project; Mattia [Binotto] always talks about a project until 2030. So, let’s put it that way.”
F1’s official social media accounts have released a 2027 grid update confirming that just eight drivers are currently in fully confirmed seats, leaving 14 still to be decided.
Notably, both seats at Mercedes remain listed as unconfirmed, significant given the Silver Arrows are considered a prime destination for Verstappen if he exits Red Bull.
Despite the uncertainty, Verstappen himself appears among the eight confirmed drivers, though his active exit clause complicates that picture considerably.
The eight drivers listed as confirmed are Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Pierre Gasly, Sergio Perez, and Valtteri Bottas.
McLaren development driver Leonardo Fornaroli is also attracting attention, with the 21-year-old Italian being linked to a Haas seat for 2027 as he pushes for a full-time drive.
Fornaroli, the reigning F2 champion, has made two FP1 appearances for McLaren this season in Barcelona and Hungary, and completed a private two-day test with Haas at the Jerez Circuit in June.
McLaren chiefs Zak Brown and Andrea Stella both rate the young Italian highly, but with Norris and Piastri occupying both race seats, Fornaroli must seek opportunities elsewhere.
Haas looks the most likely destination, particularly with Esteban Ocon reportedly on his way out following a difficult season so far.
In a further development, DAZN commentator Antonio Lobato has claimed that Red Bull persuaded chief engineer Paul Monaghan to reject a move to Cadillac after presenting a counteroffer.
Lobato, speaking to SoyMotor, said a Red Bull counteroffer was enough to persuade the 58-year-old, known affectionately as “Pedals” in the paddock, to commit his future to the team.
The news is a welcome boost for Red Bull, who have endured a significant talent drain over the past two years, losing the likes of Adrian Newey and Gianpiero Lambiase among others.