FORMULA ONE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX 2026 Oscar Piastri 81 AUS McLaren on the way to the grid during the Formula 1 Aramco Japanese Grand Prix 2026, 3rd round of the 2026 Formula One World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft from March 27th - 29th, 2026 at the Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka City, Japan. Credit: Robbie Hoad/Every Second Media Editorial use only. All images are copyright Every Second Media Limited. No images may be reproduced without prior permission. Copyright: xIMAGO/EveryxSecondxMediax ESM-1879-0512 RobbiexHoadx/xEveryxSecondxMediax
FORMULA ONE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX 2026 Oscar Piastri 81 AUS McLaren on the way to the grid during the Formula 1 Aramco Japanese Grand Prix 2026, 3rd round of the 2026 Formula One World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft from March 27th - 29th, 2026 at the Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka City, Japan. Credit: Robbie Hoad/Every Second Media Editorial use only. All images are copyright Every Second Media Limited. No images may be reproduced without prior permission. Copyright: xIMAGO/EveryxSecondxMediax ESM-1879-0512 RobbiexHoadx/xEveryxSecondxMediax
Jul 7, 2026, 1:57 AM CUT
Oscar Piastri wants to exit McLaren as Verstappen's path opens up: Report
We might have one of the biggest driver moves of the 2027 F1 market in play. Oscar Piastri reportedly wants to leave McLaren after 2026 by triggering an exit clause in his contract, opening the potential for Max Verstappen to replace him.
The 25-year-old Australian joined McLaren in 2022 under controversial circumstances. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown poached him from under Alpine's nose, and the latter's leadership was dumbfounded.
However, Piastri's decision struck gold as the men in Papaya Orange became championship contenders after mid-2024. He won two races that year and seven more in 2025, en route to third in the championship.
But per a report from Brazilian publication Grande Premio, Piastri is no longer happy at the team. The unrest began last year after McLaren took some controversial in-race decisions that seemingly favored his teammate Lando Norris.
Piastri was the top dog in the first half of 2025, but lost a 100-plus-point lead to Verstappen, who was third in the standings, in the second half. Eventually, Norris won his first F1 championship, while Piastri settled for third place.
This report about his potential exit, which should be taken with a pinch of salt for now, comes as the next big domino in the series of reports surrounding Verstappen's potential move to McLaren.
What Oscar Piastri said about the Max Verstappen rumors
During the Austrian Grand Prix weekend earlier this month, rumors surfaced that Max Verstappen's camp had initiated talks with McLaren. Sky Sports' Craig Slater later confirmed that it indeed happened.
When Oscar Piastri was asked about how he was affected by such chatter about his seat, he replied (via F1.com):
"It doesn't really mean much to me. I think Max doesn't need to be spoken about much in terms of his talent. I've got a contract in place, multiple reassurances that the team are very happy with me, and I'm very happy with the team.
"For me, I'm very happy where I am and very happy with the situation I'm in. Just trying to continue the success that we've had in the last few years."
Both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have multi-year contracts that extend at least into next year. Max Verstappen, despite being unhappy with Red Bull's performance, is also contractually bound through 2027. However, there are those reported exit clauses in the contracts that have led to the speculation.
Notably, Zak Brown committed to retaining both his drivers for 2027 when addressing the Verstappen rumors.
What are your predictions for the 2027 F1 driver market? Let us know in the comments.
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