Oscar Piastri has denied Helmut Marko’s allegation that he is looking for an exit from his long-term McLaren contract to join Red Bull.
Piastri signed a two-year agreement with Woking midway through last season, keeping him with the team until the end of 2026.
However, Marko, who has ignored many team instructions to cease speaking to the media, informed F1 Insider that Piastri’s management, fellow Australian and former Red Bull driver Mark Webber, has been following the team for meetings.
Piastri, already highly regarded in the paddock, demonstrated his world championship-winning talents with his epic victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, in which he resisted enormous pressure from Charles Leclerc lap after lap.
According to the same source, former driver Ralf Schumacher believes obtaining Piastri’s services would be a wise decision for Red Bull, especially if Verstappen follows Adrian Newey to Aston Martin at the end of 2025.
“(Piastri) is not only a phenomenal athlete, but also a formidable opponent. He will only improve in the future, and the minor disadvantages he has over Norris will soon vanish,” he stated.
“Piastri would be the ideal replacement (for Verstappen).”
Webber has already proven to be a mastermind at getting his driver in the right location at the right moment. After noticing an impending deadline loophole in Piastri’s Alpine contract, Webber convinced him to join McLaren in 2023.
However, any team that can sign Piastri before the conclusion of his McLaren contract will almost certainly have to pay a high buy-out fee.
However, Piastri has already denied the rumors, assuring Mexican media that he is exclusively interested in McLaren.
“I’m quite content where I am. I’m under contract for the next two years after this, and I’m not seeking to move anywhere else,” he explained.
“It wouldn’t be an F1 week without comments from Helmut.”
Piastri and Norris matched for the most points scored over the 12-race span between the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola and the Singapore Grand Prix, with 196 apiece. Verstappen was one point behind with 195.
But Piastri’s sluggish start to the season means he’s still 50 points behind Norris and 107 behind Verstappen.
Although Norris’ driver’s title is almost probably out of reach, Piastri will be expected to support his teammate in the season’s final five races.
The Formula One season starts with the Mexican Grand Prix on Monday AM (AEDT).
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