(GMM) Max Verstappen\u2019s options for 2027 appear to be narrowing as speculation over a possible move to McLaren has been firmly played down.<\/p>\n
Reports following the British GP suggested Oscar Piastri could be looking for a way out of his McLaren contract, potentially opening the door for Verstappen.<\/p>\n
But Piastri\u2019s manager, Mark Webber, rejects the claims.<\/p>\n
Related Article:\u00a0Formula 1 Rumor: Piastri to exercise exit clause from McLaren<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cOscar is contracted to McLaren for the foreseeable future,\u201d he told Racer.<\/p>\n \u201cTalk of him agitating to leave is nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n Piastri struck a similar tone in a BBC interview when asked about the continuing speculation linking Verstappen with McLaren.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, just trying to focus on my job is the main thing,\u201d the Australian said.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that I\u2019m here for the next while and I know the team are happy with me. I\u2019m happy with the team and the relationship is good.<\/p>\n \u201cSo for me that\u2019s just noise and not for me to deal with.\u201d<\/p>\n The uncertainty surrounding Verstappen intensified after Silverstone, where the Dutchman publicly criticized Red Bull following another rear wing failure and fresh disagreements over strategy.<\/p>\n Former Formula 1 driver Timo Glock believes the team\u2019s decision to become its own engine manufacturer has only increased the significance of Verstappen\u2019s widely reported exit clause.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s clear that since the new engine regulations, since Red Bull became a manufacturer, they\u2019ve included more in the exit clause to ensure they can get out if things go wrong,\u201d he told Heute.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone\u2019s talking about the exit clause, which apparently exists. The question is, what alternatives does he have?\u201d<\/p>\n Verstappen\u2019s father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen were seen meeting retired Red Bull adviser Dr Helmut Marko in Amsterdam after Silverstone, amid reports the Verstappen camp misses the Austrian\u2019s influence within the team.<\/p>\n Glock said Red Bull\u2019s decline cannot be blamed on one individual.<\/p>\n \u201cHelmut Marko was someone who led the team to a certain degree of success and installed the right people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve all left now. This shows that a restructuring is taking place and that you can\u2019t simply replace people with that kind of experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Former Formula 1 driver Christian Danner doubts Verstappen will leave.<\/p>\n \u201cI simply can\u2019t imagine Toto Wolff pairing Max Verstappen with his protege Antonelli,\u201d he told motorsport-magazin.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cMcLaren remains. But the team is currently struggling.<\/p>\n \u201cFrankly, I think he\u2019ll stay in his position and try to make things work. The next three months will tell where things are headed.\u201d<\/p>\n Former Formula 1 driver Christijan Albers believes Mercedes has even less reason to pursue Verstappen if Kimi Antonelli continues his current form.<\/p>\n