Helmut Marko warns McLaren about the issue they could have with Red Bull target Oscar Piastri

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The battle between Red Bull Racing and McLaren is set to continue at the United States Grand Prix with both titles on the line.

McLaren hold the advantage in the Constructors’ Championship which is especially impressive considering they started the season as the fourth-fastest team on the grid.

Max Verstappen still has a two-victory cushion over Lando Norris in the driver’s standings and has done an excellent job stopping him from taking too many points out of his lead even when Red Bull’s car has failed to live up to expectations.

One driver is set to play a pivotal role in McLaren’s success in both title challenges: Oscar Piastri.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

Piastri is technically still in contention in the Drivers’ Championship as well, although it would take a crazy set of events for him to win his first title.

However, his advantage over Red Bull’s number two Sergio Perez is what’s given McLaren the chance to win their first team championship this century, but speaking to Motorsport Magazin, Red Bull chief Helmut Marko thinks he’s spotted an issue that Piastri may cause.

Marko is a huge fan of Piastri’s and it’s easy to see why given how quick he is and his personable demeanour off the track.

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko? Everything to know

Not only that, but Marko has admitted wanting to sign Piastri in the past, and if his suspicions about how he will feel about supporting Norris are correct, then the Australian might just start scouting around to see what his other options are on the grid.

Helmut Marko explains the problem Oscar Piastri could cause McLaren this season

Asked about the Constructors’ Championship and whether Red Bull have written off the prospect of winning it ahead of McLaren, Marko said: “No, I’m telling you right now when our car is working again, Max will win.

“I’m assuming he’ll win maybe two more races; then he’ll move up again, then third, fourth place finishes or something like that are possible.”

It was then put to Marko that Piastri could continue to take points away from Perez and he continued: “Unfortunately, that’s true but I’m not so sure that Piastri is so happy with the number two role and is willing to do it [give up points for Norris].”

What Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo did at the RB driver’s final race in Singapore

The pressure on Piastri when he first entered F1 wasn’t anything like what he’ll be feeling during the final six races knowing a historic championship win is on the line.

McLaren were a backmarker team at that point, but he was also the only Australian on the grid, and Piastri’s family have spoken about how it felt to replace Ricciardo at McLaren.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri’s life outside F1 from height to girlfriend

Ricciardo joined him on the grid halfway through last season, but the baton has well and truly been passed to the 23-year-old now that Ricciardo has been released by RB.

Piastri and Ricciardo paid tribute to each other in Singapore when it became clear that the 35-year-old wouldn’t be racing at the United States Grand Prix.

Jack Doohan will be doubling the Australian representation on the grid in 2025 when he joins Alpine, but Piastri can help McLaren win that coveted title, he’ll be the hometown hero everybody gets behind at the season opener in Melbourne next year.