Verstappen responds to McLaren rumours after Norris admission
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Updated: 19:48, 02 Jul
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Max Verstappen has responded to rumours surrounding a potential move to McLaren ahead of the British GP this weekend.
After the Austrian GP, where Verstappen secured his best finish of the season in P2, Sky Sports reported that the Dutchman's camp had held a meeting with the Papaya team, with the British outlet understanding that discussions had been initiated by Verstappen's team.
Speaking during Thursday's press conference, McLaren's reigning world champion Lando Norris had his say on rumours linking Verstappen to the Woking team - claiming it was a "cool thing" that many drivers, not just the Red Bull man, would be interested in a move to McLaren.
Norris said: "To be honest, a lot of drivers want to come to McLaren, so I don’t know why you just highlight Max. There are quite a few others that I know that want to come as well. It's a cool thing.
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"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, but it's a cool thing. If there's an opportunity for me to drive with other people, it's something I've always looked forward to, but it's not a thing for now. It's not a serious thing."
Verstappen addresses McLaren rumours
Photo: Race Pictures
Asked by GPblog on the rumours, and Norris' comments, Verstappen replied: "I'm not going to involve myself in that. I've said what I've wanted to say already before. If there is something new, or something that changes you will hear it from me and not from someone else...
"I just focus on the job I have with my team, we are on the way up and that is nice to see. I had a really positive weekend in Austria, we're just trying to improve from there further... there's a lot of competition, but we're here just to try and go faster."
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Piastri: Verstappen to McLaren rumours 'don't mean much'
Photo: Race Pictures
Meanwhile, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, viewed by many as the more logical option to make way for Verstappen's potential arrival, has also weighed in on the rumours, telling GPblog:"For me, I mean, it doesn't mean much. Obviously, Max is the talent he is, and looking around.
"I'm very happy with where I am. I've been told multiple times that the team are happy with me, and I trust them. So, for me, it doesn't really mean much.
"Obviously, a contract in place as well. So, yeah, for me, it doesn't change anything. I'm just trying to build on the success that I've had."
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