Piastri Says No Red Bull Talks as McLaren Defends Contract

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has described reported interest from Red Bull Racing as "flattering" but insists he has had no contact with the rival team and is happy with his current employer. The speculation emerged earlier this month, with reports indicating Piastri is viewed by Red Bull as a leading candidate to replace Max Verstappen should the four-time world champion leave the team.

Speaking ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Piastri confirmed the rumors were news to him. "It is news to me, yes," the Australian said. "There's obviously not been any discussions or anything, but it's flattering and there's not really much more than that, really." He expressed strong confidence in McLaren's future, stating he believes the team is capable of winning races and championships.

The speculation is linked to ongoing uncertainty surrounding Verstappen's future. The Dutch driver has previously expressed disillusionment with Formula 1's new regulatory direction, mentioning he had "life decisions" to make following a flawed start to the 2026 rules cycle. He is under contract with Red Bull through 2028, though the deal is understood to contain performance-related break clauses. Recently,...