Racing
© Jonathan Borba
Oscar Piastri is still expected to remain with McLaren despite fresh rumors linking him to Red Bull and Audi, with sources inside the team and the Australian’s immediate circle telling RacingNews365 that “nothing has changed” in their relationship.
The report says Piastri, 25, remains under contract with McLaren through the end of 2028 and is set to stay with the team for the foreseeable future. Sources on both sides described the situation as unchanged, pushing back on reports that the nine-time grand prix winner is preparing an exit.
Mark Webber, Piastri’s manager, also rejected the suggestion that his driver is trying to force a move. Webber told RACER: “Oscar is contracted to McLaren for the near future.” He added: “The rumor that he is pushing to leave is nonsense.”
Webber said too much had been invented around Piastri’s name and rival teams, and stressed that McLaren wants to keep him for the long term. He said that is where Piastri’s focus remains.
The speculation has grown because Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull is still unresolved. Multiple reports say Verstappen’s contract runs until the end of 2028 but includes a clause that could allow him to leave after this season if he is outside the top two in the drivers’ championship at the start of the summer break. Those same reports say he is currently seventh and can no longer reach the top two before the pause.
That uncertainty has placed Piastri in the middle of several market scenarios. Among them are a possible Verstappen move to McLaren, a 2027 swap involving the two drivers, and the prospect of Piastri being considered by Red Bull if Verstappen departs. RacingNews365 reported that Red Bull’s priority remains keeping Verstappen, but that Piastri is among the names viewed as possible replacements if the team needs one.
A separate F1-Insider report by Ralf Bach also claimed Webber had made contact with Audi while exploring longer-term options beyond 2027. But those claims remain unconfirmed speculation, and the clearest position from the reporting around Piastri is still that neither he nor McLaren sees any immediate change in their plans.
That leaves Piastri’s name at the center of Formula 1’s driver-market turbulence, but with the strongest reported message so far pointing in the opposite direction of the rumor mill: McLaren expects him to stay, and his camp is saying the same.