Oscar Piastri’s journey through Formula 1 has never been short on drama or intrigue, but the last two seasons have truly marked a turning point for the Australian driver. After a breakout 2025 campaign that saw him firmly establish himself as one of the sport’s elite, Piastri has faced a far rockier start to 2026—yet his name remains at the center of the F1 rumor mill, with speculation swirling about his future and the potential for a blockbuster move to Red Bull Racing.
In 2025, Piastri’s performance was nothing short of remarkable. The McLaren driver, then in his third full season in Formula 1, finished third overall in the championship standings, amassing an impressive seven grand prix wins and nine podiums. This marked a significant leap from his 2024 campaign, where he managed two victories and six podium finishes, ultimately placing fourth in the standings. The jump in results was not lost on Piastri himself, who reflected candidly on the transformation in his approach and confidence.
“On the whole, the step I took from 2024 into 2025 was probably bigger than I, and quite a lot of people, expected,” Piastri told Quad Lock in a recent interview. “That was a really cool thing to make that progress and enter race weekends... I think this was the first year where I could enter every race weekend going, I know if I do a good enough job and get close to my potential, I can win every weekend.”
That newfound self-assurance was a game-changer. “Whereas the last couple of years, there’ve been moments where I’ve felt like that, but there’s always been that, what do I need to learn next, or what do I need to improve on next? And that’s still something that you do. You’re always trying to improve and evolve. But to be at a level this year where I could enter most weekends going, if I do what I know I’m capable of, I can win. That’s a pretty cool place to be.”
Piastri’s mindset shift was timely, as 2025 saw him embroiled in an intense title fight with his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris. The dynamic between the two drivers became a major talking point, with McLaren’s insistence on a “two number ones” policy occasionally drawing criticism and fueling speculation about internal favoritism. Some observers even accused the team of favoring Norris during crucial in-race decisions, despite official denials. Still, the partnership delivered results: McLaren clinched back-to-back constructors’ championships in 2024 and 2025, cementing their return to the sport’s top tier.
However, the start of the 2026 season has been a different story for both Piastri and McLaren. Piastri’s campaign got off to a disastrous start when a crash during the reconnaissance lap prevented him from starting his home Australian Grand Prix. Things didn’t get much better in China, where an electrical fault forced him out of the main event. He did manage to complete the Chinese sprint race, finishing sixth, but it wasn’t until the Japanese Grand Prix that Piastri truly got his season underway—delivering a strong drive to claim second place and finally get some points on the board.
As of April 14, 2026, Piastri sits sixth in the drivers’ standings with 21 points, a far cry from his title-challenging form of the previous year. McLaren, meanwhile, has found itself supplanted by Mercedes at the top of the pecking order under Formula 1’s latest ruleset. Red Bull, once the dominant force, has slipped into the midfield after just three races, but the season is still young, and the team’s pedigree means they can never be counted out.
Yet, it’s not just on-track action that has kept Piastri in the headlines. Off the circuit, the F1 paddock is abuzz with rumors regarding the future of four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Verstappen is reportedly using the long break between the Japanese and Miami Grands Prix to consider his future, with retirement at the end of the 2026 season a real possibility. There’s also talk that Verstappen could leave Red Bull but remain in Formula 1, though that scenario is seen as less likely.
If Verstappen does depart, Red Bull will be in the market for a new lead driver—and Oscar Piastri’s name is right at the top of the list, according to former IndyCar star and current F1 commentator James Hinchcliffe. Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Hinchcliffe argued that Red Bull could tempt Piastri away from McLaren if they offer him clear number one status, especially over rising talent Isack Hadjar.
“As much as I don’t buy into the ‘McLaren is Lando’s team’ [narrative] and never have, he’s not been there as long, the loyalty might not be as deep, he joined that team when they weren’t quite at the top of the pecking order and was a part of helping them get back to the top,” Hinchcliffe said. “I don’t think the idea of going to Red Bull in their current state would be terrifying. Maybe he relishes the idea of being in a team that does support a number one and number two format, and if that could be something that’s worked into his contract, is that as good or better than being equal number ones at McLaren?”
Piastri’s contractual situation adds another layer to the intrigue. He signed a long-term deal with McLaren at the start of 2025, but details regarding exit clauses or buyout options remain unclear. If Red Bull is willing to pay a premium—and offer Piastri the kind of team leadership role he might not fully enjoy at McLaren—the move could become a reality, especially if McLaren’s performance continues to lag behind Mercedes and Red Bull regains its competitive edge.
Hinchcliffe isn’t the only pundit weighing in on Red Bull’s potential driver search. F1TV’s Jolyon Palmer has suggested that Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc could also be in the mix, particularly if Ferrari fails to provide a title-contending car. “If money is no object, probably Charles Leclerc,” Palmer said. “He’s been at Ferrari a long time, he’s supremely talented. If Ferrari can’t show this year that they can be capable of winning a title, I think he’s someone that can be tempted away. Would he be tempted enough to go to Red Bull? I still think there’s a title in him.”
For now, though, all eyes remain on Piastri. Can he rediscover the form that made him a title contender last year? Will McLaren bounce back and return to the front of the grid? And could the lure of Red Bull prove too tempting if Verstappen calls time on his glittering career?
With the 2026 season still in its early stages and plenty of twists and turns yet to come, one thing is certain: Oscar Piastri’s story is far from finished, and the next chapter promises even more high-octane excitement for Formula 1 fans everywhere.