Oscar Piastri is reportedly considering leaving McLaren amid intensifying speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s potential transfer – Fresh reports have added another twist to the growing speculation surrounding the 2027 Formula 1 driver market, with Piastri said to be considering leaving McLaren at the end of the season.
According to reports from Brazil, the Australian could activate an exit clause in his contract. Meanwhile, separate reports covered by TJ13 today continue to link four-time world champion Max Verstappen with a sensational move away from Red Bull.
Should both reports prove accurate, McLaren could emerge as Verstappen’s preferred destination, although neither the driver nor either team has publicly confirmed the speculation.
The Brazilian report claims that Piastri is considering activating an exit clause
According to the Brazilian news agency Grande Premio, Piastri is considering exercising an exit clause that would allow him to leave McLaren after the current campaign.
The report alleges that relations between Piastri and the Woking-based team have deteriorated since the end of last season. It also alleges that Piastri’s manager, former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, has been exploring opportunities elsewhere, as there are concerns that the 25-year-old will struggle to establish himself as McLaren’s undisputed number one driver while competing alongside Lando Norris.
The publication describes a driver swap involving Verstappen as the “most likely scenario” should Piastri leave.
These claims remain unverified by McLaren, Piastri or Webber, yet PlanetF1 says that talks with Verstappen have reached an advanced stage.
Verstappen strongly tipped to join McLaren ‘soon’
This latest report follows PlanetF1’s previous claims, citing multiple paddock sources, that negotiations between Verstappen and McLaren had progressed significantly.
According to the publication, discussions over a potential transfer are now in the ‘final stages of lengthy negotiations’, although no agreement has yet been announced.
Should a deal be reached, Verstappen will then decide whether to stay with Red Bull or start a new chapter with McLaren.
It is understood that the Dutchman has performance-related clauses in his current Red Bull contract, which officially runs until the end of 2028. Previous media reports have suggested that these clauses could allow Verstappen to leave Red Bull before the end of his contract if certain championship-related conditions are met. However, the exact wording of these clauses has never been made public.
Formula 1’s biggest driver market noise
Speculation surrounding Verstappen’s future has intensified throughout the season, with several teams being linked to the reigning world champion amid uncertainty over Red Bull’s long-term competitiveness under Formula 1’s new regulations.
McLaren has consistently maintained that it is satisfied with its current driver pairing of Norris and Piastri, while Red Bull has repeatedly stated that Verstappen is under contract with the team.
At this stage, reports linking Piastri with an exit and Verstappen with McLaren are based on media sources rather than official confirmation. However, with the Formula 1 driver market expected to heat up in the coming months, any movement involving either driver would have significant consequences for the whole grid.
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Craig Alderson is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Craig oversees newsroom operations and coordinates editorial output across the site. With a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing, he plays a key role in maintaining consistency, speed, and accuracy in TJ13’s coverage.
During race weekends, Craig acts as desk lead, directing contributors, prioritising breaking stories, and ensuring timely publication across a fast-moving news cycle.
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Of course, Piastri has an exit clause, which every single driver always has, but again, no concrete foundation for Globo’s claim; hence, I’m reserved about its validity, as always with everything that seems too unrealistic to be true, or isn’t reported by actually reliable publications or individuals.