According to Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri’s manager, Mark Webber, is requesting a “intensive dialogue” with the Red Bull camp, which has sparked rumours of a possible switch for the driver.
Since joining McLaren in 2023, Piastri has excelled, winning two Grands Prix this season and a sprint race last year. His consistency and speed have impressed the establishment.
The young Australian has made a substantial contribution to McLaren’s comeback and the team’s point total, which has given the Woking-based team the lead in the Formula One Constructors’ standings.
However, considering McLaren’s present emphasis on their long-time driver, Lando Norris, and the Briton’s runner-up position in the Drivers’ championship, Piastri’s quick ascent has inevitably raised concerns about the dynamics of the team’s drivers.
In any event, Red Bull has taken notice of the two-time Grand Prix winner’s talent, and Webber, who helped persuade Piastri to switch from Alpine to McLaren in the summer of 2022, may be in a prime position to broker another calculated move for his protégé because he was once a Red Bull driver.
Marko stated in an interview with the German website F1-Insider that Webber and Red Bull are expected to discuss Piastri’s future.
The Austrian said, “Let’s put it this way.” “Mark Webber wants a lot of conversation.”
According to reports, Piastri has a contract with McLaren through the conclusion of the 2025 season, but the fine print of the Australian driver’s covenant probably includes a number of alternatives for the post-2025 era.
In any case, Piastri is a desirable prospect for the team to take into consideration given Red Bull’s established dominance in Formula One and Max Verstappen’s unclear long-term future.
Oscar Piastri and Mark Webber, a former Red Bull Formula One driver.
Ralf Schumacher weighed in on the intrigue and shared his thoughts on the matter.
He stated that Piastri is “not only a super talent, but also extremely determined,” highlighting his potential to surpass Lando Norris as he receives more experience. “If I were Red Bull, I would also work to get Piastri,” he remarked.
“He will continue to improve, and the minor disadvantages he still has in comparison to Norris will soon vanish,” Schumacher said.
Red Bull also can’t count on Verstappen to remain with the team in 2026. For that, they must be ready. Piastri would be a perfect substitute.
The media will probably quiz the McLaren charger about Marko’s remarks and whether Red Bull’s involvement could undermine his allegiance to team Papay ahead of this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.
Christian Horner, the Red Bull team’s principal, will also be asked to explain the team’s position over a possible approach for Piastri. Red Bull may have more alternatives for the post-Verstappen era if they add a star like Piastri to their squad, even though they already have promising young drivers like Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda.
Marko’s remarks have added even more intrigue to the Formula One paddock during a season in which the driver market has been nothing short of unpredictable.
It remains to be seen if they are credible or just a provocative statement, but in the world of Formula 1, even a small indication of Red Bull’s interest can cause a stir in the sport.
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