McLaren Racing chief executive Zak Brown has dismissed speculation linking Max Verstappen with the Formula One team, insisting Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are staying exactly where they are.
Speaking to Will Buxton on the Up To Speed podcast, available from today, Brown admitted he would sign the four time world champion “in a heartbeat” if McLaren had a spare seat. However, he made it clear there is no room for Verstappen in the current line up.
When asked whether he wanted to sign Verstappen, Brown praised the Dutch driver but immediately pointed to the strength of his existing pairing.
He said: “I’ve got two awesome racing drivers, so if I had a third car, I’d sign him in a heartbeat.”
Brown said he could not be happier with Norris and Piastri, highlighting their performances last year and the atmosphere they have created within the team.
He said: “We won 14 races last year, two drivers that came down to the last race of the year with the chance to win the championship. They get along great. They set a great tone in the garage. So, I’m not making any driver changes.”
Brown acknowledged that every Formula One team wants the strongest possible drivers, describing Verstappen as an “awesome talent”. However, he also backed Norris and Piastri to compete with the reigning champion on equal terms.
He said: “I think Lando and Oscar have both demonstrated they can beat him straight up.”
Will Buxton then pressed Brown on whether he would sign Verstappen if he became available. Brown repeated that McLaren does not have an open seat and insisted there are no plans to change that.
He said: “I don’t have a seat available. If a seat was available, then of course you have that conversation. But 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.”
The comments are likely to calm recent rumours linking Verstappen with a move away from Red Bull Racing, while reinforcing McLaren’s commitment to the driver pairing that has helped establish the team as one of Formula One’s leading contenders.
Up To Speed with Will Buxton is available now on Global Player, YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
