Red Bull’s post-Max Verstappen plan: Oscar Piastri emerges as surprise target. Red Bull are reportedly considering Oscar Piastri as a potential replacement if Max Verstappen leaves.

The concerns surrounding Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen’s ongoing frustration with Formula 1’s new generation of cars, shaped by the 2026 regulation changes, has sparked increasing speculation about his long-term future in the sport. The Dutch driver appears less and less convinced by the current direction of F1 and is reportedly tempted by the idea of either stepping away from the paddock altogether or freeing himself from his Red Bull contract — potentially by triggering certain clauses believed to exist in his agreement — in order to explore the driver market.

This situation forces the Anglo-Austrian team to seriously consider the possibility that Verstappen may not be in their car in 2027.

Of course, the main objective for team principal Laurent Mekies and Red Bull’s leadership remains convincing Max Verstappen to stay. However, if that proves impossible, the team must be ready with a contingency plan. In recent days, we reported that there is also pressure from above on Laurent Mekies to promote a driver from the Red Bull junior programme into the senior team, with Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad currently seen as the leading internal candidates.

Red Bull’s options for a post-Verstappen era

Despite this internal recommendation, Red Bull are also evaluating alternative scenarios. According to an article published on the official Formula 1 website by journalist and commentator Alex Jacques, Red Bull’s preferred option in the event of a Verstappen departure would actually be Oscar Piastri. The Australian is young, fast, and already proven at the highest level, and at McLaren, after Lando Norris’ championship success last season, he could potentially feel somewhat constrained in the team hierarchy.

At Red Bull, by contrast, he would immediately inherit the full level of attention currently reserved for Verstappen, becoming the clear focal point of the project.

Why a Piastri move would be extremely difficult

However, this potential blockbuster transfer faces several major obstacles. First of all, Piastri has recently signed a long-term contract extension with McLaren, and both Zak Brown and Andrea Stella have built their future plans around him. It is therefore highly unlikely that McLaren would agree to release the #81 driver from Melbourne.

In addition, leaving a Mercedes-powered McLaren to join a Red Bull package that is currently perceived as less competitive would represent a significant gamble for Piastri, potentially costing him crucial development years in his career. There is also the commercial dimension: Piastri is a Monster Energy-backed driver, and the brand is a direct rival of Red Bull, which would make any negotiation even more complicated from a sponsorship perspective.

Precedent suggests Piastri is not afraid of bold decisions

That said, history should not be ignored. In the past, during his split from Alpine, Piastri already demonstrated that he is not afraid to confront his employers if he believes strongly in a decision regarding his future. However, in the current context, it appears unlikely that such a scenario would repeat itself.

The 2027 driver market will herefore hinge on Max Verstappen’s first move. If the champion decides to walk away, it will trigger a domino effect that could reshape the entire grid. Red Bull’s interest in Piastri highlights their desire to remain a top-tier force by securing the best young talent available, ensuring that even in a transitional period, they remain the team to watch in the pursuit of championship glory.