McLaren CEO Zak Brown has ignited a fresh round of speculation in the Formula 1 world by suggesting that Max Verstappen is single-handedly carrying the Red Bull Racing team. Brown's comments come amidst rumors linking the reigning world champion to a potential move to Mercedes.

Speaking ahead of the British Grand Prix, Brown stated that without Verstappen, Red Bull would likely be behind its sister team, Racing Bulls. He lauded Racing Bulls for their progress and for producing a "great racing car," but emphasized Verstappen's outsized contribution to Red Bull's current standing.

Red Bull has faced challenges in 2025, struggling to find stability with Verstappen's teammate. Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have struggled to match Verstappen's performance. Isack Hadjar, a rookie driver for Racing Bulls, has even outscored both Tsunoda and Lawson. This disparity in performance has fueled the perception that Verstappen is the driving force behind Red Bull's success.

The rumors of Verstappen potentially switching to Mercedes have been circulating for some time but have intensified recently. George Russell's admission that his contract extension with Mercedes is on hold has further fueled speculation, suggesting that Mercedes may be considering Verstappen as a replacement.

Brown acknowledged the rumors, stating, "I'm a believer of when there's smoke, there's fire". He noted the lack of firm commitments from all parties involved as a sign that conversations are indeed taking place. While Verstappen's contract with Red Bull extends until 2028, reports suggest the presence of performance-related break clauses that could allow him to leave early if he is not within the top three positions in the championship standings by the summer break.

Brown also expressed his concern about the possibility of Verstappen joining Mercedes, stating it would be a "bit scary". He believes that Mercedes is on an upward trajectory, while Red Bull is not currently performing at its peak. Pairing Verstappen's talent with a resurgent Mercedes team could pose a significant threat to McLaren and other top contenders.

Despite the rumors, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has dismissed the speculation as "a lot of noise" and reaffirmed the team's commitment to Verstappen. However, the persistent rumors and Brown's comments continue to cast a shadow over Red Bull's future and raise questions about Verstappen's long-term plans.

McLaren seems content with their current driver lineup of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Brown has repeatedly expressed his satisfaction with his drivers, stating that he wouldn't trade them for anyone else on the grid. He believes that McLaren has the best driver lineup in Formula 1, a claim supported by their strong performances.