Piastri Confident in McLaren Future as Verstappen Eyes Red Bull Exit

Oscar Piastri insists he feels "very comfortable" at McLaren despite intense speculation linking Max Verstappen to his seat for 2027. The Australian revealed he has received direct reassurances from Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, even as Verstappen reportedly weighs an exit from a Red Bull team that Piastri says is "not in a great position."

Why it matters:

The driver market is bracing for a potential earthquake. Verstappen's Red Bull contract includes an exit clause tied to his championship standing at the summer break, and with the Dutchman currently seventh—78 points adrift of second-placed George Russell with just 50 points remaining before August—the clause is set to trigger. If Verstappen moves to McLaren, Piastri is widely viewed as the driver most at risk, making his public display of confidence a pivotal storyline in this year's silly season.

The details:

• Piastri likened the current situation to the summer of 2025, when Verstappen was heavily linked to Mercedes before ultimately staying put at Red Bull.
• The Australian, who signed a multi-year extension through at least 2028 in March 2025, said he trusts the team's belief in him and is "not really that bothered" by the rumors.
• Verstappen remained tight-lipped at Spa's Thursday press conference, refusing to confirm whether he wants to stay at Red Bull beyond this season.
• McLaren's earlier recruitment of GianPiero Lambiase—Verstappen's long-serving race engineer—as chief racing officer by 2028 continues to fuel speculation about a broader Red Bull exodus.

What's next:

A decision from Verstappen is expected before the summer break concludes. Should he activate his exit clause, McLaren would face an unenviable dilemma between backing Piastri's long-term deal and pursuing a proven four-time world champion. Whichever path the team chooses, the outcome is likely to reshape the competitive balance of the grid heading into 2027.