McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has denied Helmut Marko’s claim that his manager wants to have conversations with Red Bull over a potential move to the team in Formula 1.
Piastri has helped McLaren to displace Red Bull at the top of the Constructors’ Championship amid Sergio Perez’s troubles to support his team-mate Max Verstappen.
Perez’s ongoing woes this term – which see him lag 204 points behind Verstappen – have led to Marko revealing that his place will be evaluated when the season ends.
But while the RB drivers are battling to earn a promotion to the senior team, Red Bull boss Christian Horner has said that it is also prepared to entertain external picks.
Amid reports that Piastri is on the radar, Marko stated that Webber, who drove for Red Bull from 2007 to 2013, was interested in discussing his driver with his ex-team.
However, Piastri, who holds a deal with McLaren through 2026, has rubbished the speculation that he or his entourage are seeking an earlier release from his contract.
Asked whether a switch to Red Bull was on his horizon, Piastri told media including Motorsport Week in Mexico: “Definitely not.
“I’m very happy where I am, I’m under contract for the next two years after this, and I’m certainly not looking to go elsewhere.
“So it wouldn’t be a week in F1 without some comments from Helmut.”
Red Bull interest flatters Piastri
Piastri, who has registered two victories in his sophomore F1 season, has expressed that Red Bull’s interest was flattering, but he is intent on remaining with McLaren.
Pressed on whether he was shocked about the comment and Red Bull rumoured to be targeting him, Piastri added: “Not massively. It’s a nice compliment, I would say.
“But again, I’m very happy with where I am, and I think they [Red Bull] have quite a big pool of drivers that they can choose from if they want to.”
Meanwhile, Piastri has divulged that he is set to be again without the revised front wing that McLaren introduced on team-mate Lando Norris’ car in the United States.
Asked whether a second iteration is en route to then be bolted onto his MCL38, Piastri replied: “I don’t know, but, either way, it’s a very, very small performance increase.
“So if I don’t have it, or if I do, it’s certainly not what’s going to make or break my weekend.”
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