Piastri warned against McLaren exit despite championship frustration

Oscar Piastri has been advised that leaving McLaren could jeopardize his best chance of becoming Formula 1 world champion, despite the frustration of narrowly missing the 2025 title to teammate Lando Norris. The warning comes as speculation grows about the Australian's future after a season where he led the standings for 15 rounds before a late slump.

Why it matters:

Piastri is at a career crossroads. After transforming McLaren from a backmarker to a double constructors' champion and coming agonizingly close to the drivers' title, the temptation to seek a new challenge is understandable. However, moving from a proven championship-winning environment to an uncertain project could derail his championship ambitions just as McLaren prepares for the 2026 regulation changes from a position of strength.

The details:

• Johnny Herbert, a three-time grand prix winner, analyzed Piastri's situation, acknowledging the driver's championship credentials but highlighting concerning inconsistencies.
• Herbert pointed to races where Piastri "wasn't there and went missing," suggesting a need for greater mental resilience to complement his obvious speed.
• The core of Herbert's argument is the risk-reward calculation of a team switch. He explicitly named Ferrari and Mercedes as potential destinations that offer no guarantee of a championship-caliber car, whereas McLaren currently provides exactly that.
• The only other team with a proven recent championship car is Red Bull, but that seat is occupied by Max Verstappen, creating a potentially difficult environment for any incoming driver.

The big picture:

Piastri's contract situation and McLaren's current performance create a unique dilemma. He is under a long-term deal with a team he helped build into a champion, yet he watches his teammate lift the trophy. The 2026 regulation reset represents both an opportunity and a risk; while McLaren is well-placed, no team's future competitiveness is certain. History is littered with drivers who left winning teams at the wrong moment, only to watch their former squad continue its success.

What's next:

The pressure is now on Piastri and his management, led by Mark Webber, to assess their options carefully. The decision will define the next phase of his career.

• Staying at McLaren means continuing to battle Norris internally while trusting the team to deliver another title-contending car post-2026.
• A move would be a high-risk gamble, betting on another team's development leap surpassing McLaren's.
• Herbert's final advice is stark: the championship opportunity is "on his plate" at McLaren. Walking away from it could mean the ultimate prize remains forever out of reach.