Oscar Piastri Red Bull Switch Teased by Helmut Marko Amid Driver

Oscar Piastri Red Bull Switch Teased by Helmut Marko Amid Driver Market Shake-Up

A potential Formula 1 driver market bombshell is brewing as Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko has hinted at talks involving McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, with the young Australian possibly being lined up for a future move to Red Bull. This revelation suggests that former Red Bull driver Mark Webber, who manages Piastri, is actively pursuing discussions with the team regarding his client’s future.

Marko’s comments come at a time when Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull is under scrutiny, and the possibility of Piastri teaming up with Max Verstappen for 2026 or beyond is being considered. Piastri, known for his bold moves in the driver market, caused a stir in 2022 when he rejected Alpine’s offer to replace Fernando Alonso and instead joined McLaren for the 2023 season, a decision that led to a legal case with Formula 1’s Contract Recognition Board.

Now, with Webber pushing for negotiations, there’s speculation that Piastri could once again be at the center of a major driver market shift. Piastri’s current contract with McLaren runs through the 2026 season, but Red Bull may be eyeing him as a future teammate or even a replacement for Verstappen.

The possibility of Verstappen leaving Red Bull has also gained attention recently. Reports suggest that Verstappen has an exit clause in his contract, which is performance-based, allowing him to leave the team before his deal expires in 2028. The reigning three-time World Champion has been linked with potential moves to both Mercedes and Aston Martin, although these remain speculative at this stage.

F1-Insider.com reported that Red Bull is seriously considering Piastri as part of their long-term plans, particularly if Verstappen decides to leave the team. Six-time F1 race winner Ralf Schumacher echoed this sentiment, stating that Piastri would be an ideal successor to Verstappen if the Dutch driver were to depart Red Bull in the future.

For now, Piastri is focused on his career at McLaren, where he has impressed since joining the team. However, with Webber reportedly “intensively” seeking talks with Red Bull, the potential for a significant driver market shake-up remains on the horizon. If Red Bull moves forward with these discussions, it could set up one of the most intriguing driver transfers in recent F1 history.

As the F1 2026 season approaches, the fate of both Perez and Verstappen at Red Bull is uncertain, leaving the door open for a rising star like Piastri to potentially make a high-profile move to one of the sport’s top teams. I’m