Oscar Piastri reckons links to Red Bull F1 seat is flattering and proves his stocks as a driver, as Andrea Stella and Laurent Mekies plays down the stories.
In the gap between the races in Miami and Canada, reports linked McLaren’s Piastri to a potential Red Bull F1 drive in the future, if Max Verstappen decides to leave the stable, especially after 2026 season. Even though the Dutchman has a contract until 2028, he has been in two minds off-late.
After Red Bull dropped back from the pecking order, Verstappen has explored GT racing, even to the extent of competing in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring last weekend. The 2026 F1 regulation has also contributed in the Dutchman’s stance to take up other aspirations.
Verstappen all but confirms F1 2027 stay with Red Bull amid Piastri links
While the FIA is working to resolve the issues raised by the drivers, it may still take some time before things get better, leaving not enough time for Verstappen to stay put. The latest round of proposed changes, especially on the power unit side, has encouraged the Dutchman.
In his media session in Canada, Verstappen more or less confirmed himself to continue in F1 with Red Bull in 2027. In the meantime, McLaren’s Piastri took the reports linking him to a Red Bull seat, in positive stride. He termed it flattering, while noting that no discussions have taken place.
Piastri sees Red Bull F1 links as flattering
In fact, the Australian feels the reports proves his credential and stock as a F1 driver in a competitive market. Like Verstappen, even Piastri has a contract until 2028 with McLaren, which he wants to fulfill. “It is news to me, there’s obviously not been any discussions or anything,” he said in a print media session on Thursday.
“It’s flattering, yes, but there’s not really much more than that, really. I think hopefully it proves my stock as a driver, which is a nice thing, but I’m very happy with where I am. I’ve got a lot of confidence in this team that we are going to be able to win races and championships in the future.”
Stella wants stability at McLaren with Norris-Piastri
“So, I’m very happy with where I am,” summed up Piastri. McLaren team principal Stella played down the news as well, putting faith in both the Australian and Lando Norris. The Italian says both the team and driver are happy with the combination and stability remains a key factor.
“I think the reaction is in your question,” said Stella in press conference. “You mentioned the silly season, and I think we are already fully in this silly season. When we think about Oscar [Piastri], we couldn’t be happier. I think we are seeing the best Oscar in the cockpit and also a happy Oscar, and the best version of himself outside the cockpit.
“Great dynamics and relationship with Lando, and I think the team is in its strongest shape since I’ve been Team Principal. So definitely it’s very clear, the direction for maximum stability at McLaren,” summed up Stella, as his rival and colleague, Red Bull’s Mekies echoed the sentiments.
Mekies likewise happy with Verstappen-Hadjar combo
There is never a doubt about Verstappen’s credentials, and Mekies praised Isack Hadjar to be doing a good job in his first few races as a Red Bull F1 driver. The Frenchman is happy with his line-up, like Stella is amid Piastri links.
“Honestly, it’s not so dissimilar to Andrea’s comments, in the way that we have a very, very strong driver line-up, and the driver choice is not a question that we are asking ourselves right now,” he said.
“We have Max, nobody needs to present Max. He is pulling us up through a fairly complicated start of the season. Isack is doing a very, very good job. He has been dealing extremely well with a complicated car in the first three races, being very close to Max.
“He had a bit of a more difficult weekend in Miami, but we can see here straight away he’s been in a good rhythm this morning [in Canada]. As far as we are concerned, we are super happy with the two guys behind the wheels,” summed up Mekies.
