Ralf Schumacher cannot rule out one F1 team trying to sign Oscar Piastri amid McLaren uncertainty

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Oscar Piastri only agreed to a new contract with McLaren before the 2025 F1 season, but his future now appears uncertain amid the fallout from the Singapore Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old committed his long-term future to McLaren in March, with a new deal tying him down in Woking through the 2028 season. Piastri was not set to be out of contract until the end of the 2026 season, but McLaren rewarded his role in their 2024 constructors’ title.

Piastri rejected interest from Red Bull to sign his latest contract with McLaren, as well, after Christian Horner showed strong interest in the Australian whilst in charge in Milton Keynes. McLaren have since seen Piastri become a contender for the F1 drivers’ championship, too.

The Melbourne native leads the 2025 standings, with six Grands Prix and three Sprints to go, having also achieved seven wins and 14 podiums from 18 rounds this season. Piastri has 336 points to lead McLaren teammate Lando Norris by 22 and Max Verstappen of Red Bull by 63.

Ralf Schumacher cannot rule out Aston Martin trying to sign McLaren driver Oscar Piastri

But how McLaren handled Norris crashing into Piastri in the Singapore GP, when the papaya pals banged wheels at Turn 3 while fighting for P3 on the first lap, has created doubts about the Australian’s future. Piastri’s contract includes exit clauses, which could free him in 2027.

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It is said that Piastri is flirting with Ferrari about replacing Lewis Hamilton in 2027, with the Briton potentially retiring next year. Reports even suggest that McLaren’s Piastri could swap seats with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in 2027, with the Monegasque’s future also now unclear.

But Ralf Schumacher cannot rule out Aston Martin investigating a deal to sign Piastri for the 2027 F1 season. The Silverstone crew must consider their future driver line-up, as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are both currently due to be out of contract come the close of 2026.

Schumacher can also imagine a scenario in which Piastri replaces Verstappen at Red Bull in the future. While Verstappen will drive for Red Bull in 2026 and also has a contract through 2028, the four-time reigning champion’s terms include a release clause for the end of 2026.

“I believe Piastri could go anywhere,” Schumacher proclaimed on Sky Germany’s Backstage Boxengasse podcast. “Now, if Max Verstappen leaves, he could be driving a Red Bull. Well, now Horner is gone, because that is a very good friendship.

“There were apparently already discussions between [Piastri’s manager] Mark Webber [and Red Bull]. But I believe such a driver can find a place anywhere. We must not forget Aston Martin, who are probably also looking for drivers beyond 2027.”

Oscar Piastri could be Aston Martin’s replacement for Fernando Alonso when he retires

F1 Oversteer also understands Audi have been informed about Leclerc’s potential availability in 2027, but Piastri could even become an option for the German crew taking over Sauber in 2026. McLaren accept that it will be increasingly difficult for them to keep Piastri and Norris.

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Reports also suggest that Piastri has set his sights on joining Ferrari in 2027, if he decides to leave McLaren. The nine-time career Grand Prix winner will likely wait to see how the 2026 F1 regulations affect the pecking order before reviewing what options are available, though.

Aston Martin have bet big on the 2026 F1 regulations being their route to success, including their billionaire Canadian owner Lawrence Stroll giving design guru Adrian Newey shares to join. Honda is also leaving Red Bull to make Aston Martin its factory engine team next term.

Should Newey’s design prowess and Honda’s engine deliver success, then Alonso admits he could retire in 2026 if Aston Martin have a good car. Alonso’s retirement could pave a route for Piastri to partner Stroll at Aston Martin from the 2027 season, as Schumacher suggests.