Max Verstappen and McLaren have opened preliminary talks with a view to partnering the Dutchman and Lando Norris in a dream team of world champions for the upcoming Formula One seasons.
It is understood that in this scenario Norris's existing partner Oscar Piastri would swap places with the Dutchman if the hush-hush negotiations ended in a successful resolution, possibly as early as next year.
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SubscribeVerstappen has been considering his future for some time, with Red Bull's form having dropped off since their dominant title-winning exploits between 2021 and 2024 under the current technical regulations.
The four-time world champion has traditionally been in no rush to sever his ties with the Austria-owned organisation that nurtured his talent, placing loyalty high in his thoughts despite ongoing car performance frustrations.
Gianpiero Lambiase Move Opens Pathway for Verstappen
Nor has McLaren chief executive Zak Brown publicly courted Verstappen aggressively, though the American previously sounded him out only to be assured the services of Formula One's most sought-after driver were unavailable.
Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, but certain performance and exit release clauses allow him to move earlier should he choose to activate them under the changing grid landscape.
A potential pathway to Verstappen has been opened by McLaren's recent signing of his key lieutenant, his long-serving race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, widely known within the paddock as "GP".
The British-Italian engineer is currently on a long stretch of gardening leave after his departure from Red Bull and will join McLaren at the latest when his contract restriction completely expires.