Mark Webber Dismisses 'Nonsense' Piastri Exit Talk Amid Verstappen Rumors

Mark Webber has shut down speculation that Oscar Piastri wants to leave McLaren, calling such claims "nonsense" as rumors of Max Verstappen joining the team for 2026 continue to gain traction. Piastri's manager insisted the Australian remains fully committed to Woking and is focused on delivering success with his current contract.

Why it matters:

Piastri finds himself at the center of the driver market storm simply because McLaren is reportedly pursuing Verstappen. While some reports suggest Piastri could be vulnerable due to a performance clause after dropping to sixth in the standings, sources close to the driver dismiss this as speculation. The situation underscores how quickly contracted drivers can find their futures questioned when a reigning champion becomes available.

The details:

• Webber told RACER that Piastri is "contracted to McLaren for the foreseeable future" and that talk of him engineering an exit is "nonsense" and "fiction."
• Piastri himself stated he has "multiple reassurances" from the team and is happy with his situation, emphasizing his focus on continuing McLaren's recent momentum.
• Despite Zak Brown previously playing down interest, multiple paddock sources indicate McLaren and Verstappen are in the closing stages of a lengthy negotiation.
• Rumors of a straight seat swap with Red Bull have circulated, though Webber firmly rejected suggestions Piastri is unhappy or exploring alternatives.

What's next:

The Verstappen saga is approaching a resolution that could reshape the grid. If McLaren finalizes a deal for 2026, the team will need to manage a potential logjam, leaving questions about whether Piastri's contract truly offers the security Webber claims.