Ralf Schumacher can ‘definitely’ see Oscar Piastri replacing Max Verstappen at Red Bull

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Ralf Schumacher can see a future where Oscar Piastri leaves McLaren to replace Max Verstappen at Red Bull, as both drivers contemplate their futures in F1.

The 2025 title rivals have different thoughts about the upcoming 2027 season. Verstappen is seriously considering leaving F1 altogether, as he is completely dissatisfied with the new regulations.

Meanwhile, Piastri is believed to be weighing up his options after the way McLaren handled the 2025 championship battle with Lando Norris. Many believed that his teammate was favoured by the team, and Schumacher thinks he could actually leave the Woking outfit.

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Piastri will decide his future midway through 2026, waiting to see how the situation at McLaren develops. At present, the Aussie may have the upper hand over Norris, scoring his and the team’s first podium of the season at Suzuka.

But he does have multiple suitors to consider for 2027. Ferrari were interested in Piastri, as were Aston Martin, and Red Bull could also be in the mix if Verstappen decides to quit.

Ralf Schumacher can see Oscar Piastri leaving McLaren for Red Bull

Reports have even suggested that Piastri is looking to join Red Bull in 2027. Speaking via Backstage Boxengasse, former F1 driver Schumacher can see the Australian driver making the switch to Milton Keynes.

Discussing McLaren’s situation, he said: “Yes, they don’t have a clear number one, and last year the pressure was really intense, which is why the manager is hardly there at the moment, isn’t he, on site.

“Mark Webber, who I think went down the wrong path a bit and drove his driver more crazy than he helped him, and yes, I think so, there were already talks going on behind the scenes.

“Webber was at Red Bull before, so he knows the team very well and accordingly I can definitely picture that happening. Yes, and McLaren would also have had a Plan B: last year’s young Formula 2 champion.”

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

Leonardo Fornaroli is the perfect replacement for Oscar Piastri at McLaren

As Schumacher alludes to, McLaren would have their ‘Plan B’ already lined up if they were to lose Piastri in 2027.

Italian sensation Leonardo Fornaroli joined the team as a reserve and development driver in 2026 after missing out on a full-time seat. He has seriously impressed in the junior ranks, winning the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles back-to-back in 2024 and 2025.

Coincidentally, he follows in the footsteps of former McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto, who is now at Audi, in winning the championships consecutively, having done so in 2023 and 2024.

With most first-time F2 winners going on to be a huge success in F1, such as Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Piastri, Fornaroli has serious potential and is waiting for a chance to prove himself. If the door opens at McLaren, he more than deserves that opportunity.