In a stunning revelation, McLaren chief Zak Brown has admitted the team once looked into partnering Max Verstappen with their star Lando Norris.
Brown openly stated to De Telegraaf that he contacted Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen "some time ago" as they were "exploring the market" and assessing their driver options.
Despite persistent rumours of the four-time champion leaving Red Bull, Verstappen remains dedicated to his current outfit.
Consequently, McLaren secured Oscar Piastri's talents for the future by signing and publicising his contract extension this week.
McLaren now boasts a strong driving team for the foreseeable horizon, with Norris on board until 2028 and Piastri believed to be inked until 2029.
Similarly committed, Verstappen's Red Bull allegiance runs through to the end of 2028.
Even ironclad driver contracts can have escape hatches if the team's performance nosedives. Indeed, Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has conceded: "It's no secret that Max's contract contains performance clauses."
Marko stressed the importance of providing a competitive car, stating:
"Max wants to win and he wants to feel that we are doing everything we can to achieve that. That is a challenge for us.
If he does not feel that everything is being done to give him the best possible car, then there is a risk - contract or no contract - that he might change his mind."
Verstappen, at 27, has grown accustomed to racing glory, having clinched four consecutive titles and a staggering 63 Grand Prix wins. This year, he's aiming to join F1 legend Michael Schumacher as the only driver to secure five back-to-back drivers' championships.
Marko stressed that maintaining their victorious streak isn't essential to retain their lead driver. Nonetheless, Red Bull recognises the necessity to match their major competitors in terms of performance to persuade Verstappen to remain on board.
Marko further claimed:
"It's very important for us to prove to him that we can build him a car capable of winning. However, that doesn't mean we have to win 20 races with the current balance of power. But we have to be able to win the races that we can win and otherwise, we have to score enough points."
The Red Bull team is bracing for a slower start to the 2025 season compared to teams like McLaren. Following the initial practice rounds at the Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen conceded: "We'll have to find a bit more speed, because now we're not close enough to be at the front."
