‘That’s what I want to do’ - Brown comments on Piastri’s future amid Red Bull interest

Zak Brown has addressed speculation about Oscar Piastri joining Red Bull, emphasizing that McLaren’s aim is to become a destination team where drivers have no desire to leave. The Australian driver has been linked with a potential move should Max Verstappen decide to exit Red Bull, but Brown made clear that both Piastri and Lando Norris are under contract and that the team’s culture should be the real pull.

Why it matters:

With McLaren emerging as a consistent front-runner in 2025 and 2026, retaining top talent is critical. Red Bull’s interest in Piastri highlights the fierce competition for drivers, and Brown’s approach reflects a strategic shift: instead of relying solely on contracts, McLaren aims to create an environment that naturally retains its stars.

The details:

• Brown told The Athletic that every team would want Piastri and Norris, but his focus is on building a culture where drivers, employees, and sponsors choose McLaren willingly.
• "You don’t want to hold someone because you’ve got a piece of paper," Brown said, stressing that genuine desire to stay is stronger than contractual obligation.
• Meanwhile, former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley warned Piastri against leaving a championship-capable team. On the High Performance Podcast, Smedley reflected on drivers who moved to a weaker team to be the clear number one, calling it a move that "never worked out well."
• Smedley’s advice: staying with a top team, even with a strong teammate, is better than risking a drop down the grid for perceived status.

What's next:

The driver market remains calm for now, but Red Bull’s interest in Piastri is unlikely to fade. McLaren’s ability to deliver a competitive car and a positive environment will be key to keeping their young star. For Piastri, the choice may come down to trusting Brown’s vision or chasing the top spot elsewhere.