Why McLaren is Max Verstappen's most obvious destination when he quits Red Bull

However, speculation over his long-term future is unlikely to disappear while rival teams continue monitoring his situation. Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso could also create major movement if they retire before then. Yet Verstappen remains the driver capable of reshaping the entire grid with one decision.

Former Formula 1 winner Riccardo Patrese believes McLaren represents Verstappen’s only realistic alternative. Even that move, he argues, would probably require Oscar Piastri to leave: “Where would Max Verstappen go now? All the doors are closed at other teams unless they swap him for Oscar Piastri.

“To be fair, Red Bull is not so bad now. The engine is strong, Max is always around in qualifying, and we all know how good he is at finding solutions. And he was on the podium again at Spa. Red Bull are very clever, and if you don't have a super place to go where you are 100% sure that you can be competitive for the championship, why would he leave?”

That is the central question facing Verstappen. Leaving Red Bull would only make sense if another team could guarantee a stronger championship platform. McLaren possess the performance and resources to attract him, as well as familiar faces of Gianpiero Lambiase heading to Woking next year and Rob Marshall.

However, accommodating Verstappen alongside Lando Norris and Piastri would create an immediate driver-management problem.

Patrese believes Piastri has already shown he can lead a championship-chasing team. He explained, "Piastri, as we saw last year, regularly beat the world champion, Norris, at the beginning of last year. Lando was nowhere against Piastri. So, I think Piastri can also be a leader of a team and a good number one.”

A potential Verstappen-Norris partnership would bring two of Formula 1’s strongest drivers together. Patrese doubts Verstappen would demand protected number-one status before accepting such a move.

“But the very best drivers never worried about not being number one. They knew they were,” Patrese ventured. “And when we talk about an outstanding champion that is in a different league, they have a stronger head.

“Many drivers can be very quick and good at driving. But then to deal with the pressure of a championship or also a very good teammate beside you, you need a strong head. Not all drivers have this," added the 72-year-old, six-time Grand Prix winner.

Red Bull also has Isack Hadjar available as part of their longer-term planning. Patrese believes his progress strengthens the team’s position, although replacing Verstappen would remain an almost impossible task: “At the end of the day Red Bull has Hadjar, who is doing a good job.

Patrese expects negotiations between Verstappen and Red Bull to intensify, particularly if the Dutchman demands a substantial salary increase to extend his stay: “I am sure Max Verstappen and Red Bull are talking every day.

I understand that if he wants to stay and if Red Bull want him to stay, they have to pay a lot more money because he asked for something unbelievable in a new contract. I don't know much more than what he is earning now. But he's in the position where he can ask for this kind of thing.

“Nobody for sure at Red Bull wants him to go, so Max can play games with other teams because he is in such a strong position. He's talking to people all the time; he talks with everybody, including Toto and McLaren. We will find out in September, I am sure, because it’s the month where final decisions are taken," predicted Patrese.

McLaren may be Verstappen’s only obvious escape route. But unless that seat becomes available, remaining at Red Bull could still be his strongest option, as it is his team already.