Oscar Piastri has denied Helmut Marko’s hints that he would be seeking a way out of his long-term McLaren contract in order to join Red Bull.
Midway through the last campaign, Piastri agreed to a two-year contract extension, which will keep him with the Woking team until the end of 2026.
However, Marko, who has disregarded multiple directives from the team to cease speaking to the media, told F1 Insider that Piastri’s management, Mark Webber, a fellow Australian and former Red Bull driver, has been pursuing the team for meetings.
Piastri, who was already highly regarded in the paddock, demonstrated his ability to win a world title with his thrilling triumph in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he resisted tremendous pressure from Charles Leclerc lap after lap.
Former driver Ralf Schumacher told the same outlet that Red Bull would be wise to hire Piastri, especially if Verstappen were to follow Adrian Newey to Aston Martin at the end of 2025.
“(Piastri) is incredibly difficult in addition to being incredibly talented. The slight disadvantages he has over Norris will quickly vanish, he stated, and he will only get better in the future.
“Piastri would be the ideal replacement (for Verstappen).”
Webber has already demonstrated his ability to strategically deploy his driver at the ideal moment. Webber saw an impending deadline gap in Piastri’s Alpine contract and was able to get him signed to McLaren for 2023.
However, any team would undoubtedly need to pay a hefty buy-out cost in order to acquire Piastri before the expiration of his McLaren contract.
However, Piastri has already denied the rumors, telling Mexican media that he only has eyes for McLaren.
“I’m content with my current situation. After this, I have a contract for the next two years, and I have no intention of leaving,” he stated.
“I’m content with my current situation. After this, I have a contract for the next two years, and I have no intention of leaving,” he stated.
“It wouldn’t be an F1 week without comments from Helmut.”
With 196 points apiece, Piastri and Norris shared the lead in the 12-race run between the Singapore Grand Prix and the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. With 195, Verstappen was one point behind.
However, Piastri is still 50 points behind Norris and 107 behind Verstappen due to his sluggish start to the season.
Piastri will still be expected to help his teammate in the season’s next five races, even though Norris is now most likely out of the driver’s title.
The Formula One season is still going strong with the Mexican Grand Prix on Monday morning (AEDT).