Oscar Piastri was naturally asked for his take on the rumours that Max Verstappen could join McLaren next year, in a move that would essentially force him out of the team.
The Australian would be, should the talks between the Dutchman and the team – reported by Motorsport Week – reach a conclusion which sees him join, it would be him that is forced out.
Motorsport Week understands that the likeliest option would be a straight swap, which would see Piastri join Red Bull, with out outlets reporting of him holding talks with Audi.
Piastri’s stock rose during much of last season, having led the championship for much of it until ultimately losing out to Verstappen and teammate Lando Norris, who took the title, but has been unable to score a victory – as has Norris – with the Woking-based squad unable to fight at the front on a consistent basis.
But, ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, Piastri, when asked if he would be staying at McLaren for next year, told media, including Motorsport Week: “Yes.”
Oscar Piastri questions Max Verstappen’s current happiness as rumours continue
Piastri also emphasised, when asked if he’s found the speculation unsettling or tough to deal with, that he has the full backing of McLaren CEO Zak Brown, and Team Principal Andrea Stella.
“Zak and Andrea and the whole team have been great through all that, very assuring and I’ve been the same today,” he said.
“Clearly Max is feeling, I don’t know, maybe he’s not in a great position at the moment or exploring options.
“It was the same thing last year with him and Mercedes, so it’s nothing new. But I’m very happy with where I’m at, where things are at and how things are going.”
Piastri was nonplussed when asked if he may need to seek clarification from McLaren as to whether they are having talks with Verstappen or not, indicating that he is purely focused on himself, and where he stands in terms of what he knows of the F1 driver market.
“I don’t know, I’m not really that bothered,” he said.
“I think it’s important for people to know where things sit, where the market sits, and the information you can get is good.
“So I trust the team here, and the things they’ve been told, and the belief in me, so that’s all I really care about.”
Speculation will continue to rumble as F1 nears the summer break, the time when much of next season’s grid is likely to take shape.
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