Oscar Piastri has expressed that a possible move to a rival team was “never a consideration” prior to penning a contract extension to remain at McLaren in Formula 1.
The Australian’s latest renewal has guaranteed that McLaren has tied down both its drivers long-term, with Lando Norris having put pen to paper over 12 months ago.
Piastri’s decision to prolong his spell with the Woking-based squad has dispelled tentative reports connecting him with a potential switch amid interest from Red Bull.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has been on record as stating that he would choose to sign Piastri over Norris, whom the team has had conversations with in the past.
However, Piastri, who helped McLaren win the Constructors’ Championship last season, has insisted he has not given intense thought to going elsewhere in the sport.
“For me, other teams were never even really a consideration,” Piastri told The Times.
“McLaren, firstly from a car perspective, but also just a team environment perspective, is where I want to be.
“A lot of people would want to be here. I’m confident I can win with this team.”
Piastri confident he can lead McLaren
The evident advantage that McLaren harbours over the opposition has seen the championship battle in 2025 be billed as a straight duel between the McLaren drivers.
But while he trailed a seismic 82 points behind Norris in the previous season, Piastri is convinced he can emerge as the team leader at McLaren in his third campaign.
“If I wasn’t confident in that, then maybe I wouldn’t have signed this long contract,” he addressed.
Piastri has conviction in F1 title chances
Piastri produced an emphatic statement last time around at the Chinese Grand Prix as he converted his maiden pole position to reduce the gap to Norris to 10 points.
The now three-time F1 race winner is adamant that he has the capabilities to prevail over a season-long contest as he warned that he still has more scope to improve.
“I enjoy being in that position of expectation,” Piastri said. “I’m certainly not in the sport just to make up the numbers.
“I am here because I want to become a World Champion.
“Over the last couple of seasons, I have proven to myself, more than anyone, that I’ve got what it takes.
“I don’t think that I’m at the peak of what I’m capable of, but I’m trying my absolute best to get there as quickly as possible.
“I know when I have my best weekends, they’re good enough to beat the very best.”
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