Oscar Piastri looks set to be a man in demand in the Formula 1 driver market despite signing a long-term deal with McLaren earlier this year.
Every F1 team is trying to build the strongest driver line-up possible, with the pecking order set to be shaken up next year when the sport’s new regulations are introduced.
McLaren go into 2026 as the reigning constructors’ champions, and CEO Zak Brown believes he has the best driver pairing on the grid.
Finish the sentence: In his Formula 1 career, Oscar PIastri will win ____ titles
Lando Norris defeated Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to clinch his first title, and will run with the number one on his car to signify stealing the Dutchman’s crown.
For much of the season, it looked like his Australian teammate would come out on top, and Damon Hill has predicted Piastri will be a future world champion despite his disappointment at the end of this year.
This has made the 24-year-old a key target in the driver market, with Red Bull linked with Piastri among other teams.
Ralf Schumacher has now told Piastri that, despite interest from Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin, he needs to stick with McLaren for at least another two seasons.
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Oscar Piastri told to reject interest from Ferrari and Aston Martin
Schumacher was asked on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast whether Piastri and McLaren should start their relationship again from scratch after missing out on the championship.
He said: “Yes, I wish them that. I think they’d all be well advised to do so, because McLaren is now simply one of the top teams, if not the top team.
“Of course, that has to be confirmed again next year. I can understand that Piastri might have other priorities now, or that he felt at times that it wasn’t quite ideal for him this year, also in the team, but I think he’d be well advised to keep his feet still.
What can Oscar Piastri learn from Lando Norris?
“Sure, he would probably be on Ferrari’s list, and he would also be on Aston Martin’s list, I’m pretty sure of that.
“I think something happened there, too. At least from the outside, you got the feeling that it wasn’t the same love affair that it used to be.
“You still get the feeling that Mark Webber walks through the paddock and talks to other people. He has to as a manager, but I found it a bit conspicuous.”
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Martin Brundle tells Oscar Piastri the advantage he has over Lando Norris
There’s a chance that McLaren will still be the team on the grid to beat next season despite the extensive rule changes taking place over the summer break.
Mercedes are tipped to have the best power unit, and McLaren have proved how strong they are at interpreting ruleset despite being a customer outfit.
This means that the championship could once again come down to an intra-McLaren showdown between Piastri and Norris.
For the majority of the season, the Australian appeared to have an advantage over his more experienced rival.
He led the championship for longer than anyone else, and in Qatar and Abu Dhabi at the end of the season, he was the superior McLaren driver.
Martin Brundle believes Piastri is a better overtaker than Norris as well, which means if McLaren do have work to do compared to their rivals, then the 24-year-old might be better suited to racing in the midfield.
This is why McLaren are so excited about Piastri, and why so many other teams on the grid would be happy to sign him up as well.
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