Australian motorsport star Oscar Piastri could potentially replace Max Verstappen at Red Bull, with the future of both drivers currently up in the air. Piastri, 25, is under contract with McLaren until the end of 2028. He has so far claimed nine wins for the team and played a major role in McLaren winning back-to-back constructors' titles.
However, with Verstappen's next move unknown, new reports have emerged claiming the teams could agree to a swap between the two drivers. The Dutchman has been linked with moves to McLaren, Ferrari, or even retiring from the sport entirely, due to his well-known disdain for the 2026 F1 regulations. If Verstappen were to leave, Red Bull would need to search for a new team leader, with Piastri being the favourite over current driver Isack Hadjar, according to Autosport.
Piastri enjoyed a mixed start to the 2026 F1 season. He finished third in the 2025 World Drivers' Championship and led the championship for most of the season, claiming seven victories. Despite two consecutive DNS (Did Not Start) results hampering his 2026 campaign, the 25-year-old has since rebounded well with two straight podium finishes in Japan and Miami.
Piastri has attracted Red Bull's attention before. Former team principal Christian Horner was especially a fan and openly regretted the team's missed opportunity to sign Piastri years ago. Reports of Piastri not being too fond of the state of McLaren have surfaced recently, so a move would be understandable. 'Piastri would find a seat anywhere,' former Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya told a bookmaker. 'There's a suggestion that Max and Piastri could do a straight swap.'
