Maybe I’m being too naive about this, but the thought that Zak would go on a full-blown media tour pre-Silverstone denying the rumors and saying that both drivers are there to stay, just to turn around and do the opposite would be insane. Especially given how imagine conscious mcl is.Like it would be different if we got a couple vague quotes in articles behind a paywall skirting around the rumors. 
THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!! they might be more careful with their wording but they are certainly making it clear that they aren’t looking to replace a driver right now.
i have been trying to engage in this in good faith but if i wanna be real crazy i’d said that i think these rumors are coming from one source for one particular reason... in may, oscar denied that he knew red bull was interested in him replacing max. just a week or two ago zak denied that they wanted anyone other than oscar and lando. and at the same time zak was denying it, the reports said it was MAX’S team that reached out to mclaren.
look, do i think oscar is 100% happy at mclaren? no! last year would’ve made anyone have some type of feeling about their team if they were in his place. do i think max is a desirable driver for mclaren to sign? yeah! but also! i don’t think max WANTS mclaren more than he just wants a seat at a top team.
and, i mean, mclaren is very image focused. would they want a guy that’s made his negative feelings about papaya rules, or papaya in general, known publicly? which he did multiple times. a lot of times, actually, like it’s pretty easy to see that he wouldn’t be open to being as good of a team player as oscar. if mclaren is actually lying through their teeth then i think it’s clear they are more than happy to give up their “papaya family” image for this move. i just don’t know if they are prepared for what that means for them in the long run… or what that might mean for their other driver…
