Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has ignited speculation about a potential move for McLaren's Oscar Piastri, claiming that the latter's manager, Mark Webber, is seeking an "intensive dialogue" with the Red Bull camp.
Piastri has been a standout performer since joining McLaren in 2023, securing a sprint win last year and two Grands Prix victories this season, impressing the establishment with his pace and consistency.
The young Aussie has significantly contributed to McLaren's resurgence and to the points tally that has seen the Woking-based outfit take the lead in F1's Constructors' standings.
However, with Piastri's rapid rise has come inevitable questions about McLaren's driver dynamics, given the team's current focus on their established driver, Lando Norris, given the Briton's runner-up spot in the Drivers' championship.
In any case, the two-time Grand Prix winner's brilliance has not gone unnoticed by Red Bull, while Webber, who was instrumental in convincing Piastri to join McLaren from Alpine during the summer of 2022, is potentially ideally positioned to negotiate another strategic move for his protégé given his status as an ex-Red Bull driver.
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In an interview with German website F1-Insider , Marko suggested that talks between Webber and Red Bull over Piastri's future are set to happen.
“Let's put it this way,” the Austrian said. “Mark Webber is looking for intensive dialogue.”
Piastri is reportedly contracted to McLaren until the end of the 2025 season, although it's likely that various options covering the post-2025 period are embedded in the fine print of the Aussie's covenant.
Regardless, Red Bull's longstanding dominance in F1, coupled with the uncertain long-term future of Max Verstappen, makes Piastri an appealing candidate for the team to consider.
Ex-Red Bull F1 driver Mark Webber with protégé Oscar Piastri.
Chiming in on the intrigue, Ralf Schumacher expressed his view on the situation.
“If I were Red Bull, I would also work to get Piastri,” he said, describing the latter as “not only a super talent, but also extremely determined,” emphasizing his potential to eclipse Lando Norris as he gains more experience.
“He will get even better in the future and the small disadvantages he still has compared to Norris will soon disappear,” said Schumacher.
“Furthermore, Red Bull cannot rely on Verstappen still being in the team in 2026. They have to be prepared for that. Piastri would be the ideal replacement.”
Ahead of this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix, the McLaren charger is likely to face questions from the media ahead regarding Marko's statement and whether his loyalty to team Papay could be challenged by Red Bull's interest.
Similarly, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner will be pressed to clarify the team's stance on a potential approach for Piastri. Although Red Bull already has promising young drivers like Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, adding a talent like Piastri to their roster could strengthen their options for a post-Verstappen era.
In a season where the driver market has been nothing short of unpredictable, Marko's comments have injected yet another layer of drama into the F1 paddock.
Whether they hold water or are simply a provocative statement remains to be seen, but in the world of Formula 1, even a hint of interest from Red Bull is enough to send ripples through the sport.
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