Oscar Piastri has described as "flattering" reports suggesting Red Bull have identified him as their No 1 target should Max Verstappen leave the team - but says it came as news to him.

A report from Autosport in the break in races between the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix suggested Red Bull had identified McLaren's Piastri as their 'Plan B' were Verstappen to leave at the end of the season.

Verstappen's contract at Red Bull runs to the end of the 2028 campaign but there are known to be performance clauses contained in it which would allow the Dutchman, who has repeatedly been linked with a move to Mercedes, to exit earlier in certain circumstances, should he wish.

It is understood he would be free to leave at the end of this season, for instance, were he to be outside of the top two in the Drivers' Championship by the summer break. He is currently seventh in the standings with six races to go before the August recess.

Verstappen has cast doubt since the start of the season - which heralded a new era of car and engine rules - about whether he will want to continue in F1 at all next year, and made clear over the weekend in Montreal that rule tweaks for 2027 are likely to be required to convince him to stay.

Piastri's own McLaren contract runs until at least the end of 2028 but, asked in Canada about Red Bull's suggested interest in him were they to need a Verstappen replacement, the Australian driver said: "It is news to me, yes. There's obviously not been any discussions or anything but it's flattering, yes. There's not really much more than that, really."

"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're going to be able to win races and hopefully championships in the future, so I'm very happy where I am."

During an interview with Sky Sports F1, Piastri added: "I've got a good relationship with McLaren, so why change?"

Brown not surprised by interest in McLaren drivers

McLaren have both Piastri and world champion team-mate Lando Norris signed to long-term deals.

Zak Brown, the Woking team's chief executive, said interest in either of them from rivals would not surprise him.

"I would imagine there's not a team on the grid that wouldn't want to have Oscar and Lando driving for them," Brown told The Athletic.

"My general view, contracts aside, [is] our job is to create an environment where our drivers don't want to drive anywhere else, or for that matter, our employees or our sponsors don't want to sponsor another team.

"My job - our job - is to create an environment where you go, 'Well, you've got a contract'. Yes, we have that anyways, for the record.

"But you don't want to hold someone because you've got a piece of paper, you want [them] to go, 'This is the team I want to race with, the team I want to be on, the team I want to be a mechanic on, the team I want to sponsor'.

"That's what I want to do, try and create that environment. I think there's a lot of talent inside McLaren that other racing teams would like to have."

Piastri's rise to F1 and McLaren commitment

Oscar Piastri's journey to Formula 1 has been meteoric. After winning the Formula 3 championship in 2020 and the Formula 2 title in 2021, he was signed by Alpine as a reserve driver for 2022. A contract dispute with Alpine led to his dramatic move to McLaren for the 2023 season, replacing Daniel Ricciardo. In his rookie season, Piastri impressed with consistent points finishes and a podium at the Japanese Grand Prix. His second season has seen further growth, with strong qualifying performances and battles against top drivers.

Piastri's loyalty to McLaren is reinforced by the team's upward trajectory. Under the leadership of Zak Brown and technical director James Key, McLaren has transformed from a midfield team to a consistent podium contender. The 2026 car, built around new regulations, has shown promise, with Norris challenging for wins in Miami and Barcelona. Piastri has also contributed with solid drives, though recent races have been mixed due to strategy errors and penalties.

The potential interest from Red Bull is a testament to Piastri's reputation. Red Bull, known for nurturing young talent, has a history of signing drivers from rival teams—Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen both came from other programs. If Verstappen were to leave, Piastri would be a natural fit, given his speed, racecraft, and calm demeanor.

Verstappen's uncertain future and contract complexities

Max Verstappen's contract with Red Bull includes performance-related exit clauses, a common feature in top drivers' deals. If Verstappen finishes outside the top two in the championship by the summer break, he can trigger an exit for the following season. Currently seventh, with 201 points behind leader Lando Norris, Verstappen faces a challenge to close the gap. The 2026 regulations have unsettled the hierarchy, with McLaren and Ferrari emerging as front-runners.

Verstappen has also expressed frustration with the direction of F1. He has criticized the ground-effect cars for making following difficult, and has called for changes to the 2027 rules. His future may depend on whether Red Bull can provide a competitive car and a satisfying racing experience. The 2027 engine regulations also factor in, as Red Bull's own powertrain division (Red Bull Powertrains) will supply engines starting that year. Verstappen's loyalty to Honda, which supplies Red Bull until 2026, could be tested.

Should Verstappen leave, Red Bull would need a top-tier replacement. Piastri is not the only candidate—Norris, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell are also under contract, but Piastri's youth and potential make him an attractive option. However, McLaren's long-term commitment to Piastri and team harmony may discourage a move.

Impact on the 2026 driver market

The speculation around Piastri is part of a broader driver market shakeup. With Verstappen's situation unresolved, several teams are positioning themselves. Mercedes may pursue Verstappen if Lewis Hamilton retires, while Ferrari has Leclerc locked in but could reshuffle. McLaren is in a strong position with both drivers under contract through 2028, but the team must manage egos and performance expectations. Norris, as the established number 1, could feel threatened by Piastri's rising stock.

Piastri's comments in Canada suggest he is content at McLaren, but the allure of a top team like Red Bull cannot be ignored. For now, he focuses on improving his results. The next races—Monaco, Baku, and Singapore—will be crucial for both his and Verstappen's championship hopes.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown remains confident. "We have the best driver pairing on the grid," he said in a recent interview. "Oscar and Lando push each other, and the team benefits. We will do everything to keep them both for the long term."

The 2026 season continues to deliver drama both on and off the track. As the summer break approaches, the driver market will intensify, with Piastri at the center of speculation. For now, he remains focused on the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, where he aims to bounce back from a difficult Canadian weekend.

Source: Sky Sports News