Why Secondary Drivers Rarely Win Titles After Leaving Top Teams: Smedley and Szafnauer Weigh In

Rob Smedley, former Ferrari and Williams race engineer, has challenged the notion that a secondary driver can leave a top Formula 1 team and mount a successful championship challenge from a lesser team. Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast, he drew from his own experience, warning that such moves rarely lead to happiness or success. Otmar Szafnauer, ex-Alpine team principal, echoed the sentiment, citing long periods of single-team dominance in F1.

Why it matters:

This debate is highly relevant as Red Bull reportedly eyes Oscar Piastri to replace Max Verstappen, should the Dutchman decide to leave F1. Piastri, currently at McLaren and contracted through 2027, could face a career-defining choice that may reshape the grid's balance of power.

The details:

• Smedley: "If you're a driver in that team and you're struggling against your teammate... do you leave and go to a worse team that has no chance of winning the world championship? I've seen drivers do that and never seen it work out well."
• Szafnauer: "The team moving from third best to first is rare. There are periods of six, seven years of Mercedes, four or five years of Red Bull, or ten years of Ferrari with Schumacher."
• Red Bull's interest in Piastri comes amid Verstappen's hints at a sabbatical or retirement, with exit clauses in his contract until 2028.

Between the lines:

What Smedley and Szafnauer imply is that the timing and team trajectory matter far more than individual talent. Piastri would need McLaren to ascend or Red Bull to maintain dominance despite losing Verstappen—both uncertain outcomes.

What's next:

Piastri remains under contract, and McLaren sees him as integral to long-term plans. However, the allure of being a lead driver alongside Isack Hadjar at Red Bull could be tempting. The decision may shape the competitive landscape for years to come.