James Hinchcliffe says Oscar Piastri should be top of Red Bull’s list to replace Max Verstappen

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James Hinchcliffe thinks Red Bull may be able to tempt Oscar Piastri if they need a replacement for Max Verstappen. Verstappen could retire at the end of the 2026 season.

There’s also a possibility that Verstappen stays in F1 but leaves Red Bull, though that is the less likely scenario. The four-time world champion is using the long break between Japan and Miami to consider his future.

Piastri signed a long-term contract at McLaren at the start of last year. It’s unclear if there are any exit clauses at play or if he is simply tied down barring an enormous buyout.

Can Red Bull attract great drivers to their team if Max Verstappen leaves?

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James Hinchcliffe says Red Bull could make Oscar Piastri number one driver

On the F1 Nation podcast, Hinchcliffe was asked which driver should be top of Red Bull’s list if they need a replacement. He thinks they could lure Piastri if they’re willing to make him number one over Isack Hadjar.

Much has been made of McLaren’s insistence on having ‘two number ones’ with Piastri and Lando Norris. Last year, the team were accused of favouring Norris, inadvertently or otherwise, with in-race decisions.

While McLaren have won back-to-back constructors’ titles, Hinchcliffe wonders if Piastri feels the same ‘loyalty’ as Norris, having joined four years later.

Which McLaren driver will leave the team first?

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He said: “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.

“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?”

McLaren have been supplanted by engine suppliers Mercedes at the start of F1’s new ruleset, though they will hope to challenge the Silver Arrows in the coming months. Red Bull have slipped into the midfield but shouldn’t be written off after just three races.

Jolyon Palmer picks Charles Leclerc to replace Max Verstappen

Hinchcliffe’s F1TV colleague Jolyon Palmer was asked the same question, and he went for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Leclerc has scored two podiums in the first three races this year, but has made clear that he needs a title-winning car at the age of 28.

If Red Bull can convince him that they can reach that level before Ferrari, then Palmer thinks they could pull off an almighty coup. Like Piastri, Leclerc’s contract is long-term.

“If money is no object, probably Charles Leclerc,” said Palmer. “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.”

It has been suggested that Red Bull will struggle to attract Leclerc given their current predicament. They were expected to struggle in the engine department as a brand-new manufacturer, but it’s their chassis that’s letting them down at this stage.