The idea of Oscar Piastri leaving McLaren for Red Bull sounds ridiculous on the surface. But after everything that unfolded during last year’s Formula 1 title fight, perhaps it’s exactly the move the Australian should make.
Reports linking Max Verstappen with a shock move to McLaren, potentially opening the door for Piastri to head to Red Bull, have gathered momentum again following the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. While there is no indication that a deal is close, the speculation has been fuelled by Verstappen’s uncertain future at Red Bull and McLaren boss Zak Brown refusing to completely dismiss the possibility when questioned.
Most people are looking at the rumour and asking why Piastri would ever leave one of Formula 1’s fastest teams.
The better question might be…
Why would he stay?
Last season provided the answer.
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As McLaren fought for both championships, there were several occasions where team strategy appeared to favour Lando Norris in the drivers’ title battle. Piastri repeatedly found himself playing the supporting role despite proving he had the speed to challenge at the front. It was a difficult balancing act for McLaren, but from Piastri’s perspective, it was impossible to ignore.
Every Formula 1 driver wants the same thing.
They don’t just want a fast car.
They want a team built around them.
That’s exactly what Red Bull could offer.
If Verstappen leaves, Piastri wouldn’t be arriving as a number two driver or as a teammate expected to support someone else’s championship ambitions.
He would become the face of Red Bull Racing.
He would inherit one of Formula 1’s most successful organisations, a team that has built its recent success around giving one elite driver everything required to win world championships.
For someone as fiercely competitive as Piastri, that’s an incredibly attractive proposition.
The timing also makes sense.
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Red Bull has reportedly identified Piastri as its preferred replacement should Verstappen activate an exit clause and leave before the end of his current contract. Several respected paddock insiders have also linked the Australian to the Milton Keynes outfit, suggesting the interest is genuine rather than pure speculation.
McLaren, meanwhile, suddenly faces a fascinating dilemma.
If Verstappen became available, very few teams would turn down the chance to sign a four-time world champion.
Pairing Verstappen with reigning world champion Lando Norris would instantly create one of the strongest driver line-ups Formula 1 has ever seen.
Would McLaren really reject that opportunity to keep Piastri?
History suggests probably not.
That doesn’t diminish what Piastri has achieved.
The Australian has established himself as one of Formula 1’s brightest young stars and remains one of the most complete drivers on the grid. Even during McLaren’s inconsistent 2026 campaign, he has continued to extract strong results whenever the car has allowed it.
But Formula 1 isn’t always about driving the fastest car.
Sometimes it’s about driving for the team that believes in you the most.
Red Bull has built multiple world champions by putting one driver at the centre of everything it does.
McLaren has two genuine superstars competing for the same prize.
That’s a luxury for the team.
It may not be for Piastri.
Would leaving McLaren involve risk?
Absolutely.
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Red Bull has endured a difficult start to the 2026 season, and questions remain over how quickly it can return to championship-winning form under Formula 1’s new regulations. Verstappen himself has publicly expressed frustration with the team’s competitiveness, and his future beyond 2026 remains the subject of constant speculation.
But every championship-winning move in Formula 1 involves risk.
Lewis Hamilton leaving McLaren for Mercedes was considered a gamble.
Sebastian Vettel joining Ferrari was considered a gamble.
Even Verstappen leaving Toro Rosso for Red Bull was viewed as a gamble.
Some risks change careers.
If the opportunity presents itself, Oscar Piastri shouldn’t be afraid to take this one.
Because if there’s one lesson from last year’s title fight, it’s that every great driver eventually wants a team that puts them first.
At Red Bull, Piastri might finally get exactly that.
