As rumors of a possible departure of Max Verstappen to McLaren continue to stir the paddock, Oscar Piastri says he is calm and believes he understands the motivations of the four-time world champion.
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Speculations about Max Verstappen’s future continue to make headlines in Formula 1. While advanced talks with McLaren are mentioned for a potential arrival of the Dutchman in 2027, Oscar Piastri says he is not worried about his own situation within the British team.
The Australian driver says he has received assurances from McLaren CEO Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella. Despite rumors surrounding a possible arrival of Verstappen, Piastri feels he is in a comfortable position.
“For me, I am very comfortable with where I am and with my situation. Zak, Andrea, and the whole team have been great during this period. They have reassured me a lot, and I have also shown them that I trust them” Piastri explained before the Belgian Grand Prix.
Verstappen would be looking for a better opportunity
According to Piastri, discussions about Verstappen’s departure would not be surprising given Red Bull’s current situation. The Austrian team is going through a difficult period in 2026, with a car struggling to regularly compete with Mercedes and Ferrari.
“Obviously, Max may feel that he is not in a great position right now or that he is exploring some options” said the McLaren driver.
The Australian also recalls that this is not the first time the future of the four-time world champion has fueled rumors. Last year already, Verstappen was linked to a possible transfer to Mercedes before ultimately remaining loyal to Red Bull.
“It was the same thing last year with him and Mercedes. So it’s nothing new” added Piastri.
McLaren and Verstappen: a hypothesis that stirs the paddock
According to several reports circulating in the paddock, Verstappen could leave Red Bull before the end of his contract which runs until 2028. An exit clause could allow him to leave if his position in the championship is insufficient at the time of the summer break.
Currently seventh in the standings, the Dutchman is 78 points behind George Russell, second, while only 50 points remain available before the summer break.
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If Verstappen indeed decided to join McLaren in 2027, Oscar Piastri would be considered the driver most likely to lose his seat, Lando Norris being already a world champion and firmly established in the team.
When directly asked about possible talks between McLaren and Verstappen, Piastri did not show concern.
“I don’t know. To be honest, it doesn’t really worry me. It’s important to know where the market stands and what information is available, but I trust the team and what I’ve been told.”
The Lambiase-McLaren connection reignites speculation
Rumors have also been fueled by the announced arrival of Gianpiero Lambiase at McLaren. Verstappen’s long-time race engineer at Red Bull is set to join the British team in a high-level strategic role by 2028.
This arrival fuels speculation that Verstappen might be tempted to find a familiar environment around him.
For his part, the Dutchman continues to remain very discreet about his future. Asked at Spa-Francorchamps about his intentions for 2027, Verstappen refused to confirm or deny a possible departure.
“I don’t want to say yes or no, this or that, regarding my future. I’ve already said several times that if there was something new, I would say it myself.”
For now, McLaren and Verstappen remain at the center of all attention, while Piastri says he wants to focus solely on his performance on track.
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