Oscar Piastri Responds to Red Bull's Interest Amid Verstappen's Uncertain Future
Oscar Piastri has reacted to reports linking him as a potential replacement for Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, describing the speculation as "flattering" but surprising. According to a report by Autosport, Piastri, currently driving for McLaren, was identified as Red Bull's primary target should Verstappen decide to leave the team. Verstappen's contract with Red Bull extends until the end of the 2028 season, yet performance clauses could allow him to exit earlier. If he remains outside the top two in the Drivers' Championship by the summer break, he could leave at the end of the current season. Currently, Verstappen sits seventh with six races remaining before the August recess. During a recent interview in Montreal, Piastri stated: "It is news to me, yes. There's obviously not been any discussions or anything but it's flattering, yes. I’ve got a lot of confidence in this team that we're going to be able to win races and hopefully championships in the future, so I'm very happy where I am." Zak Brown, McLaren's chief executive, noted that interest in both Piastri and teammate Lando Norris would not be unexpected. He emphasized the importance of creating an environment where drivers want to stay despite contractual obligations, stating: "There’s not a team on the grid that wouldn’t want to have Oscar and Lando driving for them." Despite the speculation, McLaren faced challenges in Canada, with Piastri finishing just outside the points in 11th place after a collision penalty, while Norris retired due to a gearbox issue.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-05-28