The 2026 Formula 1 season is still in its early stages, but rumors about driver market movements are already in full swing.
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The future of Max Verstappen at Red Bull and in the category itself is a key point for the development of talks – especially considering the dissatisfaction with the rumors that the regulations have taken from this year onwards.
If the four-time champion chooses to remain loyal to F1, his stay at the Austrian team largely depends on how the championship unfolds. Fortunately, the Miami GP proved to be a step in the right direction with the new regulations.
However, Red Bull is already working with the possibility of a plan B, as reported by the Italian branch of Motorsport.com. And the name the Milton Keynes team is targeting is none other than Oscar Piastri.
The task of signing the Australian would not be easy, since his contract with McLaren runs until the 2027 season. It happens that past experiences have already proven that when a driver leaves, anything is negotiable.
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In fact, Mark Webber, Piastri’s manager in Formula 1, is already moving behind the scenes exploring alternative options for the competitor.
The interest in Oscar comes from a change in Red Bull’s strategy, since Helmut Marko has always preached valuing ‘homegrown’ talents. But Laurent Mekies, the team principal, has already made it clear that he tends to have a more flexible approach.
So far, it is all just behind-the-scenes interest, especially because there is no concrete sign that Verstappen is leaving Formula 1 and Red Bull.
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