Webber denies Piastri exit rumors amid Verstappen talks

Mark Webber, the manager of McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, has forcefully dismissed reports that his client is seeking to leave the team, labeling such speculation as "nonsense." The public rebuttal comes amid intensifying rumors linking four-time world champion Max Verstappen to a potential move to McLaren for the 2027 season.

Webber, a former Formula 1 driver, stated unequivocally that Piastri remains committed to McLaren. "Oscar is contracted to McLaren for the foreseeable future," Webber told RACER. "Talk of him agitating to leave is nonsense. There has been a lot of fiction written about him and other teams. McLaren have repeatedly said they want him for the long term and Oscar is focused on that."

The speculation surrounding Piastri's future has been fueled by persistent reports that Verstappen, currently with Red Bull, is in advanced negotiations with McLaren. Multiple paddock sources have suggested the talks are in their closing stages, though no official confirmation has been provided by any party. Should Verstappen join McLaren, it would necessitate a change in the team's current driver lineup, which includes Piastri and Lando Norris, both of whom hold multi-year contracts.