Red Bull monitor Oscar Piastri as Verstappen uncertainty threatens to reshape F1 market

Red Bull are closely monitoring Oscar Piastri as they assess potential alternatives to Max Verstappen, with the McLaren driver reportedly holding a contract mechanism that could open the door to an early exit from Woking this summer.

Verstappen clause keeps Red Bull on alert

Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until 2028, but that deal may not be the firm protection it appears to be. His terms are understood to include a release clause, and it is believed he would have from August to October to activate it if he reaches the summer break outside the top two in the drivers’ standings.

That has brought Piastri firmly into focus. The Australian’s McLaren contract runs through 2028, but it is now claimed he could have the right to terminate it early depending on his championship position at the 2026 summer break, which follows the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 24-26.

Piastri’s McLaren position under scrutiny

Piastri is understood to have a clause allowing him to leave McLaren if he reaches the summer break outside the top five in the drivers’ championship. At present, the 25-year-old sits fifth, but that position is anything but secure.

Team-mate Lando Norris is only two points behind after the opening six rounds. Verstappen, despite retiring at the very start of the Monaco Grand Prix last Sunday, is seventh and just 17 points adrift of Piastri, with the pair on 43 and 60 points respectively.

McLaren’s internal picture is already attracting attention, with Norris’ own situation covered in detail here: Lando Norris says McLaren reliability woes make title defence "pretty impossible".

A potentially explosive driver-market trigger

Red Bull’s interest in Piastri is therefore tied directly to the possibility that his McLaren contract could become breakable. It is not considered impossible that his time in Woking could end if Verstappen were to leave Red Bull.

There is another layer, too. It has previously been claimed that Piastri can terminate his deal if he feels McLaren favour Norris, following allegations in 2025 that the team had backed Norris in the title race.

For now, Red Bull’s priority remains retaining Verstappen. But if that plan collapses, Piastri’s championship position could become one of the most important numbers in the F1 paddock.