Will Piastri become Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull Racing?
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Will Oscar Piastri go to Red Bull Racing? A comment from top advisor started an avalanche of rumours, but is it justified? GPblog presents you a deep dive into the Australian's situation, and his future at McLaren or Red Bull.
F1 Insider came out with the news that Piastri is in the picture for a seat at Red Bull Racing for 2026. Piastri's management, led by former Red Bull driver Mark Webber, would be happy to hold talks with Red Bull, according to the website. Helmut Marko, therefore, recently confirmed that Webber was intensively seeking talks.
It would involve a deal for 2026, the year of the new regulations and the season where Red Bull Racing will design their own engine. For that season, on paper, the team have two drivers under contract. Max Verstappen, in fact, has a deal through 2028 and the team have an option to extend Sergio Perez for 2026.
Red Bull Racing's drivers
Yet it remains very much to be seen whether both drivers will actually drive for Red Bull Racing in 2026. In Perez's case, it is questionable at all whether he will be on the grid in 2025. His contract contains performance clauses that would allow Red Bull to part ways with him earlier. Hence, Liam Lawson got the chance to prove he is the right person for the last six races of 2024.
But Red Bull cannot blindly assume that Max Verstappen will remain with Red Bull Racing after 2025 either. The Dutchman will remain loyal to Red Bull in 2025, but the cards will be reshuffled for 2026 and that makes Aston Martin and especially Mercedes interesting options for Verstappen. Mercedes in particular are hoping to sign Verstappen, with the new engine regulations being Mercedes' main argument for making the switch.
Given that, Red Bull Racing's interest is understandable. Oscar Piastri is a driver that the team have looked at previously. In an interview with GPblog in 2023, Helmut Marko already mentioned the young Australian as one of the talents that Red Bull had missed out on to sign for junior training programme.
The question, however, is whether it would also be a good step in his career for Piastri. McLaren have given him the chance in F1, fully supported him in the legal battle with Alpine and rewarded him with a multi-year deal after just one season. In fact, Piastri has a deal signed with McLaren until 2026, so there should either be a release clause in the contract, or Red Bull would have to buy it out.
Piastri to Red Bull?
Apart from the contract, it is also notable that Marko mentions Webber's name. Webber is Piastri's manager and former Red Bull driver, but certainly not Helmut Marko's best friend. During his time at Red Bull Racing, Webber accused his team of treating him like a second driver on multiple occasions. The man who was always by Sebastian Vettel's side: of course Helmut Marko, much to Webber's frustration.
Although Piastri could be fetched as the number one in the event of Verstappen's possible departure, one wonders why Piastri would leave McLaren. McLaren ares on the rise and present Piastri a car capable for a title fight. He is not the outright number one, but he does not have to comply with harsh team orders either. If he is fast enough, he can compete for the title himself. That remains to be seen at Red Bull.
In that respect, Marko's comment seems more like a component in the title battle between McLaren and Red Bull Racing. By saying that Webber is having talks with Red Bull, whether that is true or not, Marko is probably trying to cause a stir at McLaren. The F1 world will see in Mexico how the parties involved react to this.
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