MAX VERSTAPPEN is reportedly in talks to DITCH Red Bull.
Preliminary discussions with the teamâs F1 rivals, McLaren, are understood to have centred around a sensational swap deal involving Oscar Piastri.
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That move, if it comes off, would equip the papaya team with a ludicrous two-man line-up of world champions.
Lando Norris won the Driversâ Championship for McLaren last year while Verstappen, 28, clinched four in a row for Red Bull between 2021 and 2024.
According to the Daily Mail, the proposal being discussed in these early-stage talks would see Piastri take Verstappenâs place at Red Bull.
The swap may have to be put on hold until 2028, but could happen as early as next year.
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Piastri was competitive in the race for the Driversâ Championship throughout last season but finished 13 points shy of Norris.
Verstappen punched well above his weight in an inferior Red Bull and finished ahead of Piastri but two points behind the reigning champ.
Red Bull signed Verstappen to their development program in 2014 and thrust him onto the F1 stage almost immediately.
He initially drove for their sister team, which was then known as Toro Rosso, before winning on his fully-fledged Red Bull debut in 2016.
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Verstappen has been loyal to the team that gave him his big shot, but has reportedly been considering his future for a while.
The four-time champion turns 29 in September and has repeatedly made it clear that his F1 career will be shorter than the likes of Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso, who have both raced into their forties.
Verstappenâs Red Bull contract runs until the end of 2028 but the deal contains release clauses that would allow him to jump ship.
The Dutchman has also considered an early retirement from F1, having voiced his anger at regulation changes which he feels have wrecked the driving experience.
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Verstappenâs former race engineer â his old friend Gianpiero Lambiase, also known as GP â left Red Bull in April and has been snapped up by McLaren.
The pair could therefore reunite if the current swap deal discussions progress.
Preliminary discussions with the teamâs F1 rivals, McLaren, are understood to have centred around a sensational swap deal involving Oscar Piastri.
Advertisement
That move, if it comes off, would equip the papaya team with a ludicrous two-man line-up of world champions.
Lando Norris won the Driversâ Championship for McLaren last year while Verstappen, 28, clinched four in a row for Red Bull between 2021 and 2024.
According to the Daily Mail, the proposal being discussed in these early-stage talks would see Piastri take Verstappenâs place at Red Bull.
The swap may have to be put on hold until 2028, but could happen as early as next year.
Advertisement
Piastri was competitive in the race for the Driversâ Championship throughout last season but finished 13 points shy of Norris.
Verstappen punched well above his weight in an inferior Red Bull and finished ahead of Piastri but two points behind the reigning champ.
Red Bull signed Verstappen to their development program in 2014 and thrust him onto the F1 stage almost immediately.
He initially drove for their sister team, which was then known as Toro Rosso, before winning on his fully-fledged Red Bull debut in 2016.
Advertisement
WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS
Verstappen has been loyal to the team that gave him his big shot, but has reportedly been considering his future for a while.
The four-time champion turns 29 in September and has repeatedly made it clear that his F1 career will be shorter than the likes of Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso, who have both raced into their forties.
Verstappenâs Red Bull contract runs until the end of 2028 but the deal contains release clauses that would allow him to jump ship.
The Dutchman has also considered an early retirement from F1, having voiced his anger at regulation changes which he feels have wrecked the driving experience.
Advertisement
Verstappenâs former race engineer â his old friend Gianpiero Lambiase, also known as GP â left Red Bull in April and has been snapped up by McLaren.
The pair could therefore reunite if the current swap deal discussions progress.
