McLaren dismisses Oscar Piastri exit rumors amid silly season speculation

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has shut down speculation that Oscar Piastri could be headed to Red Bull Racing, labeling the rumors as typical 'silly season' chatter. Speaking in Montreal, Stella emphasized that the Australian driver is in his best form and fully committed to the Woking-based outfit.

Why it matters:

Piastri's future had been questioned amid reports linking Max Verstappen to McLaren, with a potential straight swap mentioned. Stella's clear dismissal removes uncertainty around McLaren's driver lineup, which has been a key strength in their 2026 campaign. Stability is crucial as the team aims to build on its competitive resurgence.

The details:

• Stella called the rumors 'silly season' and underlined that Piastri is 'the best Oscar' both in and out of the cockpit, with a strong relationship with teammate Lando Norris.
• Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies also addressed the Piastri rumors, stating his team is 'very happy' with its current lineup of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, and that driver choice is not a current concern.
• On the separate story of Jos Verstappen meeting Toto Wolff, Mekies downplayed any hidden message, calling it a 'completely natural' conversation between acquaintances.

What's next:

With both McLaren and Red Bull publicly reaffirming their driver lineups, the focus shifts back to on-track performance. McLaren's consistency and Piastri's continued growth will be key as the season progresses, while Red Bull works to overcome its early-season struggles. The 'silly season' may now quiet down, at least for these two teams.