Mark Webber has dismissed reports linking Oscar Piastri with a move away from McLaren as 'nonsense' and 'fiction', as speculation over Max Verstappen's future continues to dominate the Formula One paddock. The former Formula One star, who manages the young Australian driver, was unequivocal in his comments to RACER, stating that Piastri is contracted to McLaren for the foreseeable future and has no intention of leaving.
The rumours began to swirl after a difficult British Grand Prix weekend for Piastri, where he finished seventh in the sprint race and crossed the line 11th in the grand prix following an opening-lap collision with Liam Lawson. That result dropped the Melbourne driver to sixth in the drivers' championship, fuelling talk that a contractual performance clause could be triggered if he slipped outside the top five by the mid-season break. However, Piastri's management quickly rejected any suggestion that the 24-year-old had signalled a desire to leave the Woking-based team.
'Oscar is contracted to McLaren for the foreseeable future,' Webber said. 'Talk of him agitating to leave is nonsense. There has been a lot of fiction written about him and other teams. McLaren have repeatedly said they want him for the long term and Oscar is focused on that.' These comments align with Piastri's own public statements during the British Grand Prix weekend, where he insisted he was 'very happy' with the team and had received multiple reassurances of their confidence in him.
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown has also consistently backed his current driver pairing of Piastri and Lando Norris, despite Verstappen's name being constantly linked with a blockbuster switch. Brown was seen meeting Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, during the British Grand Prix weekend, which reignited speculation about a possible move. Both parties insisted no negotiations took place, but the sighting was enough to fuel the rumour mill. 'They're rumours,' Brown said. 'I'm very happy with my two racing drivers, Lando and Oscar. I think anytime a name like Max is thrown around, people get pretty excited – a four-time World Champion – but very happy with our driver line-up.'
The Verstappen speculation comes as Red Bull continues to battle an increasingly difficult campaign. Team principal Christian Horner has departed, legendary designer Adrian Newey has moved on, and new boss Laurent Mekies has acknowledged Verstappen's frustration with the team's recent struggles. Reports from ESPN and Dutch publication De Limburger have claimed that Verstappen has not guaranteed he will remain with Red Bull beyond 2026, with suggestions that a sabbatical or even retirement have again been discussed. Mekies insisted the reigning world champion wants to stay but admitted the team must provide him with a competitive car.
Despite uncertainty surrounding Verstappen, analysts have questioned whether a move to Red Bull would make sense for Piastri. One recent assessment argued it would be a 'dumb idea', citing McLaren's long-term stability, equal-driver philosophy, and confidence that the team will return to championship contention despite a difficult start to the 2026 season. The analysis pointed to Red Bull's internal upheaval following the departures of Horner and Newey, contrasting it with McLaren's stable leadership and commitment to treating both drivers equally rather than operating with a clear number one. While Verstappen has enjoyed that status throughout his Red Bull career, McLaren has consistently maintained there is no hierarchy between Norris and Piastri.
Piastri's journey to McLaren has been anything but conventional. After winning the Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships in successive years, he found himself without a race seat for 2023 due to contractual complexities at Alpine. A high-profile legal battle ensued, with Webber playing a key role in securing Piastri's release from the French team. McLaren snapped him up, and he immediately impressed, scoring points in his first race and securing his maiden podium in 2024. His strong performances, including a win at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, have solidified his place as one of the sport's rising stars.
The British Grand Prix incident with Lawson was a setback, but Piastri's long-term potential remains undeniable. McLaren's technical team, led by new design chief Rob Marshall, has been making steady progress after a difficult start to the 2026 regulations. The team's MCL62 has shown flashes of pace, and both drivers have contributed to the development direction. Norris, now in his eighth season with McLaren, has become a veteran presence and a benchmark for Piastri to measure himself against. The two have a respectful relationship, and the team has avoided the internal friction that has plagued some other top squads.
Webber, who famously engineered Piastri's departure from Alpine, has remained unwavering throughout the latest wave of speculation. The former Red Bull driver knows the politics of F1 better than most, and his firm stance suggests that Piastri is not entertaining any offers. 'There has been a lot of fiction written,' Webber reiterated. 'Oscar is focused on McLaren, and we are focused on the future here.' This message has been echoed by Piastri himself, who said during the British Grand Prix weekend: '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.'
The Red Bull situation adds another layer of intrigue. With Horner and Newey gone, the team that once dominated the sport has lost key figures responsible for its success. Laurent Mekies, who took over as team principal, faces the challenge of maintaining performance while managing Verstappen's expectations. The Dutch driver is known to be fiercely loyal to those who have supported him, but his patience has been tested by technical issues and strategic missteps. Reports suggest that Verstappen's camp has already explored informal talks with other teams, including Mercedes and Aston Martin, but nothing concrete has emerged.
For now, McLaren appears content with its driver lineup. The team has invested heavily in its infrastructure, including a new wind tunnel and simulator, to close the gap to the front. The long-term stability that Webber referenced is not just rhetoric; McLaren's ownership group, led by Mumtalakat, has committed to a multi-year plan to return to championship contention. The equal-driver philosophy also appeals to young talents like Piastri, who want to prove themselves without being overshadowed by a designated number one.
As the 2026 season progresses, the narrative around Piastri and Verstappen is likely to continue. But for now, Webber's blunt dismissal of the rumours has made one thing clear: Oscar Piastri is staying put at McLaren, and any talk of a move is, in his manager's words, complete nonsense.
Source: MSN News