Red Bull Racing has chosen Oscar Piastri as their preferred candidate to replace Max Verstappen should the world champion decide to leave the team. This information has been confirmed by various sources in the paddock of the Miami Grand Prix.
Although Verstappen has a contract for the next season, the team is prepared to facilitate the move if unexpected circumstances arise, such as a change of destination or a break from the Dutch driver. The team director, Laurent Mekies, along with Oliver Mintzlaff, is said to have initiated an alternative plan focused on Piastri.
The key role of the driver in the technical side
With over 2,000 employees at Red Bull, the driver is not just an athlete but a fundamental piece in the team’s technical development and internal stability. This means that the exclusive bet on their young driver program is not enough. Although the team has been investing in Isack Hadjar, he is not yet able to be the main pillar of the structure.
Changes in Piastri’s scenario
It is interesting to note that Mark Webber, Piastri’s manager, was not present at the preseason tests in Bahrain. The McLaren driver has chosen to work with Pedro Matos, his former engineer in F2, suggesting a change in his internal dynamic. This has led to an improvement in his performance, including podiums achieved in Japan and Miami.
A strategic turn for Red Bull
The departure of Helmut Marko, who had designed the philosophy of investing in young talents for more than two decades, represents a significant change. The arrival of Sergio Pérez, seen as more of a necessity than a strategy, marks a deviation from this model. With Mekies at the helm, the team is moving towards a more flexible model that uses the external market as a vital tool.
Possibility of a driver exchange
At McLaren, no one has commented on Piastri’s situation, who has a contract until 2027. Although contracts in F1 are often flexible, history has shown that a driver’s willingness to leave sparks negotiations. In this context, McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, could play a crucial role.
Moreover, an intriguing scenario would be an exchange between Piastri and Verstappen, but there is currently no evidence that McLaren is interested in the Dutchman. Additionally, Verstappen has expressed his frustration towards the new technical regulations of F1, regardless of his team.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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