Oscar Piastri is reportedly exploring an exit from McLaren just days after narrowly losing the 2025 Formula 1 championship. Once considered the title favourite during the summer, the young Australian saw his campaign unravel after a dramatic post-break slump that allowed Lando Norris and Max Verstappen to overtake him in the standings. The season ended with Piastri 11 points behind Verstappen and 13 short of Norris, prompting renewed scrutiny over McLaren’s internal dynamics.
Throughout the year, McLaren faced growing accusations of favouritism toward Norris, a claim the team persistently denied. Yet whispers around the paddock intensified after the Abu Dhabi finale, with speculation that Piastri’s camp had begun quietly assessing options elsewhere. Despite both McLaren drivers holding multi-year deals, insiders suggested Piastri may already be eyeing a potential move beginning in 2027.
According to journalists Rebecca Clancy and Ben Hunt, Piastri’s team is believed to have initiated informal contact with Red Bull. On the Inside the Piranha Club podcast, Clancy noted that rumours pointed to Piastri exploring a Red Bull switch despite being contracted through 2028. Hunt added that shifting regulations, Ford’s uncertain progress, and Verstappen’s future all create a fluid landscape that could open unexpected doors as early as next season.
Hunt further explained that it is standard practice for teams and managers to monitor driver availability well ahead of time. Should Ford deliver a competitive engine and Red Bull maintain their dominance, the team could become the most desirable destination on the grid. Under such circumstances, interest wouldn’t be limited to Piastri—several top drivers could be lining up for an opportunity.
Despite the speculation, Piastri has maintained a public stance of loyalty to McLaren. Earlier this year, he dismissed Red Bull links as flattering but irrelevant, highlighting his long-term commitment to McLaren and confidence in the team’s upward trajectory. With development accelerating and performance improving, he expressed faith that McLaren can remain a frontrunner in the coming seasons.
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