Oscar Piastri responds to Red Bull speculation as Verstappen future clouds 2026

Oscar Piastri has played down speculation linking him with Red Bull, calling the rumors "news to me" despite being widely seen as the most likely replacement should Max Verstappen leave the team.

Verstappen's future is under intense scrutiny after a slow start to 2026, with clauses in his contract allowing an exit if he is outside the top three by the summer break. The four-time champion currently sits seventh in the standings.

Why it matters:

A Verstappen departure would leave Red Bull without a proven top-tier driver. While the team has Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, and Arvid Lindblad under contract, none have yet shown race-winning consistency at the highest level. Piastri, with nine Grand Prix victories and a title fight under his belt, offers the experience Red Bull would need to stay competitive.

The details:

• Piastri confirmed no discussions have taken place with Red Bull, calling the links "flattering" but nothing more.
• The Australian is under contract with McLaren until at least the end of 2028. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has publicly backed him, stating "there's not a team on the grid that wouldn't want Oscar and Lando."
• Piastri led the 2025 championship for much of the season before falling behind Norris and Verstappen. His most recent win came at last year's Dutch GP, and a five-race podium drought followed a tough Azerbaijan weekend.
• The 25-year-old's stellar junior career and rapid F1 success make him a long-term asset, but his current focus remains on winning with McLaren.

What's next:

Piastri believes McLaren can deliver championships in the near future, saying, "I'm very happy where I am." However, if Verstappen triggers his exit clause, Red Bull's need for an immediate replacement could force a serious approach for the 2028-bound driver.