Oscar Piastri speaks out about Max Verstappen taking his spot at McLaren
Oscar Piastri has cleared up the rumours about Max Verstappen possibly replacing him at McLaren next year.
On Sunday, Verstappen, a four-time World Champion, finished third at the Belgian Grand Prix, marking his third podium this season.
This year has been tough for the Dutch driver—he hasn’t won a race yet and is currently seventh in the standings, quite behind leader Kimi Antonelli. Because of this, there’s been a lot of talk about Verstappen’s future. Some say he might leave Red Bull or even retire early.
One of the biggest rumours is that Verstappen could make a big move to McLaren in 2027. If that happened, many think Oscar Piastri might lose his spot and possibly move to Red Bull instead.
But before the Belgian GP, Piastri made it clear he plans to stay with McLaren next year. When asked if he’d be racing for McLaren in 2027, he said simply, “Yes. I didn’t realise it was a point of contention, but yes.”
Piastri is signed with McLaren until at least the end of 2028, having recently signed a long-term deal. He’s seen the rumours but said he feels “very comfortable” where he is and appreciates the support from the McLaren team.
He also mentioned that Verstappen might be going through a tough time or exploring options, but Piastri is happy with how things are going for him.
Verstappen himself hasn’t confirmed anything about his plans for next year, which only keeps the rumours alive. At a recent news conference, he said he’s not interested in joining the speculation and that he’ll share any news if and when there is something new.
Last year, similar rumours linked Verstappen with Mercedes, but he stayed at Red Bull. So, it’s likely we’ll hear more chatter about driver moves this summer as the 2027 season approaches.