Guenther Steiner has warned that Oscar Piastri could face an uncertain future at McLaren if he fails to improve during the 2027 Formula 1 season, suggesting Zak Brown may look for a younger replacement. The former Haas team principal believes Piastri’s current struggles could put his place under pressure for 2028, with Oliver Bearman among the emerging talents he has identified as a potential option.
Speaking on The Red Flags podcast, Steiner was asked whether Piastri was already on a “hot seat” at McLaren after falling well behind team-mate Lando Norris during 2026.
“If he has got another year like this next year, you’re right. Zak will look for the next Oscar,” Steiner said. He added that Brown would favour a younger driver and suggested Liam Lawson could be one possibility, although Racing Bulls have since confirmed the New Zealander for 2027.
Steiner warns Piastri that 2027 is a crucial season
Piastri’s position is a considerable change from the previous campaign, when he spent much of 2025 in contention for the Drivers’ Championship before finishing third behind Norris and Max Verstappen.
The Australian has found the 2026 regulations more difficult to master. With three rounds remaining, he sits seventh in the standings on 152 points, while Norris is sixth on 246. Norris has won three races this season, whereas Piastri is yet to claim a victory.
That difference has fuelled questions about the balance between the McLaren team-mates. Steiner’s point, however, was not that Piastri is about to lose his seat. Rather, he believes another season at the same level could force Brown to consider a change for 2028.
McLaren have not announced any intention to replace Piastri, and Steiner’s comments should be understood as his assessment of the situation rather than confirmation of a recruitment process.
Zak Brown could look for the next young McLaren star
Steiner believes Brown is unlikely to stand still if he feels the team’s driver line-up needs refreshing. He pointed to the McLaren chief executive’s willingness to identify young talent and secure drivers before their value rises.
“Zak will look for somebody younger. We all know Zak is pretty good at finding young talent. Zak likes to buy them cheap as well,” Steiner said.
McLaren’s decision to bring Piastri from Alpine ahead of the 2023 season demonstrated Brown’s willingness to take a chance on a highly rated young driver. Piastri has since delivered nine Grand Prix victories and established himself as one of the team’s leading performers, making the current downturn a significant talking point.
But the expectation at a front-running team is that both drivers should consistently deliver results. If Norris continues to hold a substantial advantage, Piastri will need to show that he can close the gap rather than allow the internal pecking order to become entrenched.
Bearman and Lawson emerge as possible alternatives
Lawson was the first name Steiner raised as a potential alternative, but Racing Bulls have already confirmed that he will remain with the team in 2027 alongside Arvid Lindblad. That makes an immediate move to McLaren difficult, although it does not remove him from the longer-term conversation.
Steiner also identified Haas driver Oliver Bearman as a young prospect with options. He was particularly emphatic about the Briton’s future, indicating that he did not expect Bearman still to be driving for Haas in 2028.
That does not mean Bearman is negotiating with McLaren or has been selected as Piastri’s replacement. It does, however, make him a name worth watching if the Woking team eventually decides to explore its options.
Steiner was less convinced by the prospect of Carlos Sainz returning to McLaren. His reasoning was that Brown would be more likely to pursue a younger driver than bring back the Spaniard, who will be 33 in 2027.
Piastri’s McLaren future could be decided by his response
The distinction in Steiner’s warning is important: Piastri is not being told that his McLaren career is already over. He has 2027 to demonstrate that his difficult campaign is an interruption rather than a permanent loss of form.
However, the prospect of a 2028 change gives the Australian a clear challenge. McLaren will want both cars contributing to its championship ambitions, and Brown has shown that he is prepared to make decisive driver choices when he believes they are necessary.
For Piastri, the next season could therefore carry consequences beyond the immediate championship standings. A return to form would strengthen his position; another year dominated by Norris could give McLaren a reason to consider the next generation of talent.
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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.
