Juan Pablo Montoya has questioned whether Max Verstappen would really benefit from a move to McLaren, asking whether Formula 1\u2019s most sought-after driver risks discovering that the grass isn\u2019t always greener.<\/p>\n
PlanetF1.com reported last week that Verstappen is in advanced talks to leave Red Bull for McLaren for the F1 2027 season.<\/p>\n
Juan Pablo Montoya warns Max Verstappen over McLaren transfer<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n The Dutchman\u2019s future has been the subject of rumours even as he raced to his fourth successive world title with Red Bull in 2024.<\/p>\n Amid diminishing returns on the track, Verstappen<\/a> and the team also dealt with the Christian Horner scandal, with the former team boss cleared over allegations of inappropriate behaviour, as well as Mercedes\u2019 publically courting the Red Bull star driver.<\/p>\n Despite remaining loyal to Red Bull in 2025 and \u201926, rumours that Verstappen could leave the team he calls \u2018family\u2019 have continued.<\/p>\n The only difference today is the team.<\/p>\n Instead of Mercedes, the four-time world champion is understood to be in talks with McLaren. Talks that are advanced according to PlanetF1.com sources.<\/p>\n Montoya, though, questions whether it would be the right call for Verstappen.<\/p>\n \u201cThe million-dollar question is,\u201d the former F1 driver said on his podcast MontoyAS, \u201cif he were to go somewhere, he already deserves to go somewhere strong. Mercedes?<\/p>\n \u201cFrom what I gather from the rumours going around this week, George is already locked in for next year. <\/p>\n \u201cSo, if you\u2019re Max, where would you go? If you\u2019re already doing better, it doesn\u2019t make sense.<\/p>\n \u201cThe problem is, as they say, the grass isn\u2019t always greener on the other side.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom a distance it looks very nice, but sometimes, when you stand on it, you say, \u2018Oh, what did I get myself into.\u2019 That happens.\u201d<\/p>\n But, on the other hand, it has been said \u2013 but unconfirmed \u2013 that Mark Mateschitz, who inherited his father\u2019s shares in Red Bull, isn\u2019t happy with Verstappen after the driver turned down the option to be paid to eradicate his exit clause.<\/p>\n Verstappen is understood to be in a position to leave Red Bull if he is lower than P2 in the drivers\u2019 standings at the summer break. Today, he is 78 points shy of P2, and there are only 50 points in play.<\/p>\n Verstappen, though, reportedly refused to be bought out of his exit clause during a meeting held with Red Bull\u2019s higher-ups last month.<\/p>\n Go deeper: Max Verstappen\u2019s Red Bull contract<\/p>\n F1 driver contracts: What is the contract status of every driver on the F1 2026 grid?<\/a><\/p>\n F1 2026 driver salaries: Who are the highest-paid drivers on the grid?<\/a><\/p>\n There are, however, two sides to the debate.<\/p>\n \u201cThey say,\u201d said Montoya, \u201cthat Mateschitz\u2019s son is mad at Max because Max hasn\u2019t committed to staying there, and they\u2019re giving him everything on top of the salary they pay him and all. And given everything they\u2019ve given Max, they find it infuriating that he won\u2019t commit to them.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the other hand, Red Bull is doing everything possible for Max to stay. Obviously, everyone wants Max to stay. <\/p>\n \u201cThe problem is that I think what Max is trying to do, in my opinion, is put pressure on them to keep working on the car and everything.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if you look at where Red Bull started at the beginning of the year and where Red Bull is today, the car that has developed the most of all is probably the Red Bull. So how are you going to complain?\u201d<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n