« Where there’s smoke, there’s fire »: Zak Brown on the Verstappen-Mercedes rumours

Speculation about a possible move by Max Verstappen to Mercedes in 2026 continues to grow. And Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, hasn’t tried to calm things down. Present in London for an event organized by the British team before the British Grand Prix, he was direct regarding the transfer rumors of the Dutch driver.

Verstappen and Mercedes at the heart of rumors

Despite a contract with Red Bull until 2028, Max Verstappen has been regularly linked to Mercedes for several months. In the background, internal tensions at Red Bull, a relative decline in performance this season, and performance clauses in the Dutchman’s contract could allow him to leave the team earlier than expected.

Currently third in the championship behind Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, Verstappen remains the central figure of the Red Bull project. However, according to Sky Italia, he would be open to a move to Mercedes, and discussions are reportedly underway.

Brown puts his foot in it.

For Zak Brown, the silence of those directly involved is telling: « I believe that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. If everyone was truly committed to where they are, that’s what we would hear. The fact that everyone is talking without confirming anything tells me there are discussions happening behind the scenes », he told Sky Sports News.

The McLaren boss also did not rule out the possibility of a departure as early as 2026: “I said some time ago that I wouldn’t be surprised to see Max at Mercedes,” he added, while adding nuance: “I don’t think it’s out of the question. But for now, I prefer to see him at Red Bull, he’s doing an incredible job.” A remark that makes perfect sense as Mercedes has recently shown more performance than Red Bull and is expected to have an edge in 2026. With Verstappen in its ranks, the German team would become a formidable competitor for McLaren.

Brown also believed that without their four-time world champion, Red Bull would not hold up against their sister team: « Red Bull would be behind Racing Bulls without Max. They’ve done a good job with the car, but it’s him who carries them », he insisted, referring to the performances of Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, which are closer to Yuki Tsunoda’s level than expected.

Norris: « He’s the boss, he’ll go where he wants. »

Lando Norris, regularly opposed to Verstappen on the track in recent months, was also asked about the situation. He does not hide his respect nor his detachment: “I don’t care where he goes. I appreciate Max as an opponent. He’s a bit tough, but I like our battles. As he said, he’s the boss, he’ll go where he thinks is best,” he said.

As for whether Verstappen can still be in the title fight this season, Norris has no doubt: « Of course he’s still in the race. We proved last year that even when you think you’re out of the game, you can come back. If anyone can do it, it’s Max. I’m not an idiot, I wouldn’t rule anyone out. »

Mercedes keeps its options open.

George Russell publicly discussed the delay in his own contract extension, related to ongoing conversations.

On the team’s side, the official position remains measured. Toto Wolff assured that Mercedes was satisfied with its current duo, consisting of Russell and Kimi Antonelli, but does not deny that the arrival of a driver like Verstappen is a variable to consider. He also confirmed that discussions were taking place behind closed doors, while indicating that a decision on the 2026 team would be made soon: “There are a lot of discussions at the moment. By the summer break, everything will be decided,” he stated in Austria.

If he considers the likelihood of a Verstappen transfer very low, he acknowledges that in the long term, anything can change. And it’s in this same enigmatic tone that Brown concluded his analysis of this situation: That’s why Formula 1 is always exciting. Stay tuned, there might be a new chapter. The suspense remains!