Verstappen Confirms McLaren Talks After Choosing Red Bull Rebuild

Max Verstappen has confirmed that he held talks with McLaren before signing a two-year Red Bull contract extension. In an interview with BBC Sport, the four-time Formula 1 world champion said he treated the discussions seriously but ultimately decided to remain with the team he joined during the 2016 season.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oiG1Ie0drM

The extension theoretically keeps Verstappen at Red Bull through the end of 2030, although BBC Sport reported that it retains performance clauses. Verstappen said his familiarity with the organization, his belief that it can recover and Red Bull's involvement in his projects beyond Formula 1 all contributed to the decision.

Red Bull's current competitiveness remains the central challenge. Verstappen has collected five podium finishes in 2026 but has not won a race, and he told the BBC the team is not in the championship fight. He identified inconsistent balance through corner entry, the middle of turns and corner exit as a fundamental weakness that must be addressed for next year.

Personnel changes are part of that work. Verstappen said departures and new arrivals have prompted internal discussions over whether Red Bull requires broader changes or a different design philosophy. He framed his decision to stay as a willingness to help rebuild rather than move immediately to the fastest available car.

The Dutch driver also discussed his expanding endurance-racing ambitions. He competed at the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May, where his car was leading by roughly 30 seconds with three hours and 20 minutes remaining before a broken driveshaft ended its challenge. Verstappen said he wants to return and eventually compete in other endurance events, including the World Endurance Championship's Hypercar class.

A possible Le Mans entry with Fernando Alonso has also been discussed, Verstappen confirmed, though he said schedules and a realistic chance of victory would have to align. For now, his immediate focus is Red Bull's recovery under the current Formula 1 regulations, with the team using the remainder of a winless campaign to gather information for next season.