Photo: McLaren F1 Team
Red Bull looking at Oscar Piastri as possible Max Verstappen replacement
Although the 2026 season has only just begun, discussions about the future driver market are already intensifying. Questions surrounding Max Verstappen’s long-term plans and his criticism of the current regulations have prompted Red Bull to quietly evaluate potential alternatives should the situation change later in the year.
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Despite the early stage of the 2026 Formula 1 season, speculation about possible driver market changes is already growing in the paddock. Much of the attention currently centres around Max Verstappen and the uncertainty surrounding his long-term future.
The Dutch driver has repeatedly voiced concerns about Formula 1’s new technical regulations, leading to ongoing discussions about whether he will remain fully committed to Red Bull in the coming years. For now, there are no concrete indications that Verstappen is planning to leave the Milton Keynes-based team, especially after Red Bull introduced upgrades in Miami that appeared to move the car in the right direction.
However, the team is also preparing for different scenarios behind the scenes. According to Autosport, Red Bull has identified Oscar Piastri as one of the leading options should Verstappen’s situation unexpectedly change in the future.
Securing the Australian would be far from straightforward. Piastri remains under contract with McLaren until at least the end of 2027, and the Woking-based squad sees him as a central part of its long-term project. Still, Formula 1 history has shown that lengthy contracts do not always prevent major driver moves if circumstances evolve.
Piastri’s manager, former Red Bull driver Mark Webber, is also believed to be assessing different possibilities for the future, although there are currently no signs that the Australian is actively seeking an exit from McLaren. Red Bull’s reported interest in Piastri could also signal a gradual shift in philosophy within the team. Helmut Marko has traditionally prioritised promoting talent from the Red Bull junior programme, but current team principal Laurent Mekies is understood to be more open to targeting proven drivers from rival teams if necessary.
At this stage, the situation remains largely precautionary rather than active negotiation. Verstappen continues to be Red Bull’s clear number one driver and the team fully expects him to remain part of its future.
Nevertheless, with uncertainty still surrounding the long-term impact of Formula 1’s new era, Red Bull appears determined to keep alternative plans ready if needed.
