Verstappen refuses to end McLaren speculation after Silverstone Red Bull talks

Max Verstappen shut down every line of questioning about his Formula 1 future at the Belgian Grand Prix media day in Spa on Thursday, refusing to confirm or deny the persistent rumours linking him to McLaren — even as it emerged he held discussions with Red Bull after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

When F1 presenter Tom Clarkson raised the speculation during the official FIA press conference, Verstappen’s answers were blunt to the point of monosyllabic. Asked for an update on his future, he replied: “No.” Asked what he made of the speculation: “Nothing.” Asked whether he had a date in mind: “No, there’s nothing to say from my side.” When pressed on whether that meant full commitment to Red Bull for 2027, he repeated: “I said there’s nothing to say.”

The four-time world champion was equally firm in a subsequent Dutch media session in the paddock. When a journalist jokingly suggested the session would largely revolve around his future, Verstappen replied: “I’m not going to say anything about it anyway, so it would be over pretty quickly.”

When the question was raised more subtly — whether he had at least reached a decision privately — Verstappen insisted he had not. “No, I’m just busy trying to make sure we take the right steps here,” he said. “Outside of that, I had my sister’s wedding as well, so everything will come naturally. That’s always been the case.” He also confirmed there is no self-imposed deadline: “No, not necessarily.”

The rumours linking Verstappen to McLaren are not new, but they gathered fresh momentum on social media after Silverstone, partly driven by what observers have described as “vaguetweeting”. Insiders noted that at least one widely shared post actually referred to Scott Dixon’s move to Arrow McLaren in IndyCar rather than anything in Formula 1, though it still sent many fans down the wrong path.

McLaren has never publicly denied holding talks with Verstappen, a silence that has kept the story alive. Media day at Spa did nothing to change that dynamic. Verstappen did speak at length on Thursday about a separate matter — a new collaboration with McLaren junior driver Dries Van Langendonck — but kept his own contractual situation firmly off the table.

The Spa weekend therefore ends with the speculation exactly where it began: unresolved, and apparently set to remain so until Verstappen himself decides the moment is right.