Jun.27 (GMM) Red Bull’s efforts to convince Max Verstappen to remain with the team have intensified amid growing speculation linking the four-time world champion with McLaren.
Rumours swept through the Austrian GP paddock on Friday that Verstappen has been in talks about a sensational 2027 switch to McLaren, involving Oscar Piastri moving the other way.
Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen dismissed the claims.
“There’s nothing to it,” he told Bild newspaper.
“There were no negotiations. As I said, we’ll wait and see how the car develops over the next few weeks.
“We definitely want to stay with Red Bull, but with a car capable of winning.”
The timing is awkward for Red Bull, which arrived at its home race with what Auto Motor und Sport described as a massive upgrade package.
“Virtually everything from the cockpit of the RB22 onwards has been revised,” the German magazine reported.
However, Verstappen was not immediately convinced after Friday practice, with Red Bull still shy of the leading pace.
Vermeulen admitted the pressure is now on.
“We simply need a package that allows us to compete at the top,” he told De Telegraaf. “That has always been the foundation.
“We feel at home at Red Bull, but we want to be competitive. After all, Max wasn’t born to drive in the midfield.”
When pressed on whether Verstappen will definitely still be driving for Red Bull in 2027, Vermeulen stopped short of offering reassurance.
“We don’t have to commit to a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ at the moment. There are agreements that we will honour.”
Further adding to the uncertainty are reports that veteran engineer Paul Monaghan is also preparing to leave the Milton Keynes outfit.
According to Bild, Monaghan has already decided to join Cadillac despite interest from Aston Martin. “Monaghan has told confidants that he has decided on Cadillac,” reported the German newspaper.
Team boss Laurent Mekies has reportedly not even been told about the move from Monaghan himself. “I don’t think it will be right for me to comment on every single rumour that comes out,” said the Frenchman.
“Paul is actually here today. He has been working very hard to get our cars out this morning.”
As for Verstappen, Mekies dismissed suggestions Red Bull is seeking constant assurances about Verstappen’s future.
“As I said a few weeks ago, we are not asking Max every week,” he said. “He’s pushing with us, he’s helping us to find the right development path for the car, again this morning doing very large test scans through the sessions to try to turn all the stones possible.
“So, it’s not a topic for us. As you may, I hope, agree, if the car is back where we want it to be, there will be no discussion.”