According to a new report, Red Bull’s interest in Oscar Piastri highlights a shift in the team’s approach since Helmut Marko’s exit.
News broke on Thursday that Red Bull have their eye on Piastri, with the move seemingly being considered as a backup plan if Max Verstappen decides to leave or retire. Verstappen has already made it clear he’s unhappy with F1’s new regulations and is weighing his future.
The exact details of Piastri’s contract with McLaren aren’t public, but it’s believed to extend through 2028, meaning Red Bull would likely need to pay out a significant sum if they want him sooner.
Red Bull wouldn’t have targeted Piastri if Marko was still there
According to Motorsport IT, Marko was firmly committed to a clear philosophy during his time at Red Bull. He believed in promoting from within, pairing an emerging talent with a more established lead driver.
Ever since Red Bull purchased Minardi in 2005 and turned it into their junior team, the club has almost always promoted from within. Sergio Perez’s arrival in 2020 was a rare exception but even that move came out of necessity.
With Marko now gone and Laurent Mekies in charge, the club appears to be moving towards a more open approach. There’s growing interest in the external market, and Piastri is seen as a strong fit for this new direction.
Piastri’s podium finish at the Miami Grand Prix marked his 28th top-three appearance in just his 72nd race. The 25-year-old already has nine wins under his belt and finished just 13 points behind world champion Lando Norris last season.
Why Red Bull’s interest in Oscar Piastri isn’t as simple as it sounds
While there’s an outside chance that Piastri could be brought in as an alternative to Isack Hadjar, it seems more likely he’d be viewed as a replacement for Verstappen if the Dutchman decides to move on.
Even with Verstappen still at Red Bull, the idea of joining the team might not appeal to Piastri, who would have to accept a clear number two role given Verstappen’s status.
Piastri may see little reason to leave McLaren. With their recent progress and growing confidence under Norris, staying put probably feels like the better option right now.
Red Bull made positive strides of their own in Miami but Mercedes-powered teams continue to look best placed over the current rules cycle.
So unless something unexpected happens with his place at McLaren, which seems unlikely, Red Bull may need to look elsewhere. There were even reports last month suggesting Carlos Sainz is a more realistic target for them, especially considering Williams’ continued struggles this season.
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