Oscar Piastri has dismissed rumours of a Max Verstappen swap as his future at McLaren remains clear – Piastri has dismissed speculation about his Formula 1 future, following reports linking Max Verstappen with a move to McLaren and suggesting that Piastri could head in the opposite direction to Red Bull. Ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Piastri reiterated his faith in McLaren’s leadership, insisting that he has complete confidence in the team’s long-term plans for him.
The latest round of speculation follows ongoing uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s future at Red Bull. While McLaren has repeatedly been mentioned as a possible destination for the Dutch driver, rumours have also claimed that Red Bull could pursue Piastri if Verstappen were to leave.
However, both McLaren and Piastri’s management have firmly rejected those suggestions.
Piastri is confident in McLaren’s commitment
Speaking before the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Piastri made it clear that he is not concerned by the persistent transfer rumours.
“I trust what Zak [Brown] and Andrea [Stella] have told me, and I trust the trust they place in me.”
These comments reinforce McLaren’s public stance that Piastri remains a key part of the team’s future, despite ongoing speculation linking Verstappen with the Woking-based outfit.
Piastri’s manager, former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, recently dismissed reports suggesting his client was considering leaving McLaren.
“Oscar is under contract with McLaren for the foreseeable future,” Webber told Racer. “Rumours that he is pushing for a move are nonsense.”
Webber continued: “Many untruths have been spread about him and other teams. McLaren has repeatedly emphasised that they want to keep him long term, and Oscar is focused on that.”
These comments are consistent with McLaren’s messaging that both Piastri and the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers’ World Champion, Lando Norris, are key to the team’s long-term plans.
McLaren is searching for performance gains
Piastri joined McLaren at the start of the 2023 season, establishing himself as one of Formula 1’s leading drivers. He narrowly missed out on the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, which was ultimately won by his teammate, Lando Norris.
Piastri also arrives at Spa with positive memories, having claimed one of his six Grand Prix victories during the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
However, McLaren acknowledges that it still trails the leading teams as it enters this year’s race. Mercedes and Ferrari have generally set the pace throughout the 2026 campaign, while Red Bull’s competitiveness has varied from circuit to circuit.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Piastri admitted that expectations remain modest.
“I’m not sure where we’ll be this weekend. We’ll probably be where we’ve been so far, with the third or fourth fastest car, depending on how competitive Red Bull actually is.”
Upgrades offer hope ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix
McLaren is introducing further upgrades in an effort to close the performance gap. However, Piastri admitted that the new package is unlikely to immediately transform the team’s fortunes.
“We have no illusions that the upgrades we are bringing in for the next few races will be enough, but hopefully they are a positive step in the right direction.”
These comments highlight the challenges McLaren is facing in its attempt to return to the front of the field, while also dealing with ongoing speculation about Verstappen’s future.
For now, both Piastri and his management have been unequivocal. Despite rumours linking Verstappen with McLaren and suggesting a potential driver swap with Red Bull, Piastri insists he is fully committed to the team, and McLaren is equally determined to keep him as part of its long-term plans.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
