McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have both played down reports that Max Verstappen’s management held informal discussions with the reigning constructors’ champions, with both expressing confidence in their long-term futures with the papaya squad ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
The speculation intensified during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, where reports emerged that the four-time World Champion’s management team had an informal chat with McLaren CEO Zak Brown. Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but persistent links to other teams have followed him as Red Bull have yet to produce a race-winning car this season.
Piastri, whose name surfaced in rumours of a potential direct swap with Verstappen to Red Bull, was unequivocal in his response. “It doesn’t really mean much to me,” the Australian said during media day at Silverstone. “I’ve got a contract in place, multiple reassurances that the team are very happy with me and I’m very happy with the team. I’m very happy where I am and very happy with the situation I’m in. Just trying to continue the success that we’ve had in the last few years.”
Norris, meanwhile, took the speculation as a compliment to the team he and Piastri have helped rebuild into championship contenders. “To be honest, a lot of drivers want to come to McLaren, so I don’t know why you just highlight Max!” the Briton said. “It’s a cool thing. It’s a good thing that a four-time World Champion wants to come on board and wants to potentially join the team. I don’t know how much of it’s true.”
Both drivers are on multi-year deals with McLaren, where they have been team mates since Piastri’s rookie season in 2023. Together they delivered back-to-back Constructors’ Championships in 2024 and 2025, ending a 26-year drought for the Woking-based team. Piastri finished third in the standings last season, missing out on the Drivers’ Championship by just 13 points to Norris. Team Principal Andrea Stella has publicly backed the current line-up, stating that McLaren is in “its strongest shape” with its existing driver pairing.
Norris did not shy away from the hypothetical challenge of racing alongside Verstappen, whose long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is set to join McLaren in 2028. “I do believe I can beat any driver,” Norris said. “What makes Max so incredible is how he is over the course of a season, every single weekend performing to the level that he does is what’s impressive. I believe whether it’s him, or having a chance to go against Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso, any of the drivers that people know are some of the best, I think it’s a cool opportunity for me.”
Looking ahead to the British Grand Prix, Piastri acknowledged that McLaren still have ground to make up on the outright pace-setters. “I think everyone is a little up and down at the moment apart from Mercedes, they are the constant challenge at the very front,” he said. “I think we should be somewhere near the front, where exactly I don’t know, but we’re still missing that final step to really challenge for wins. As long as we put our best foot forward, I think we’re in the running for hopefully podiums.”