Oscar Piastri has said he will remain at McLaren next year, ending speculation that he will be replaced by four-time champion Max Verstappen.
It was the biggest rumor to sweep the Formula 1 paddock this year, with Dutch media reporting that the four-time champion was set to swap teams with the Australian ahead of the 2027 season.
McLaren has repeatedly denied this.
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The situation further escalated when Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen said last month that the Dutchman had not signed a contract with Red Bull for 2027.
However, now Piastri has changed the whole scenario, giving a sharp, monosyllabic answer to the main question.
When asked if he would drive for McLaren in 2027, the Australian said yes, adding that he trusts the team and their faith in him.
“I didn’t realize it was a point of contention,” he continued, before saying team bosses Zac Brown and Andrea Stella showed confidence.
“Obviously I’ve seen and heard some rumors and I’m very comfortable where I am and where I sit, and Zach and Andrea have been great at handling that and very encouraging.
“Obviously Max is not in the best position at the moment and is exploring his options. It was the same thing last year with him and Mercedes.”
“So it’s nothing new, but I’m very happy with where I’m at and where things are going. It doesn’t bother me too much. It’s important for people to know where things are, where the market is, and all the information you can get is good.
“So, I trust the team, what I’ve been told and the belief in myself, so that’s all I really care about.”
Earlier this month, Grand Premio reported that Piastri’s manager Mark Webber was working to find a new home for the Australian. However, the former Red Bull driver said last week: “To say that he (Piastri) is agitating to leave is nonsense.”
Verstappen was in a grumpy mood earlier on Thursday and said little to quell persistent rumors that he could switch to McLaren – if Red Bull’s results do not improve.
Verstappen is contracted until the end of the 2028 season, but is understood to have a performance clause in his contract that allows him to leave Red Bull if he is not in contention for the driver’s title.
He said that although he was upset after the Silverstone crash, he remained committed to Red Bull.
“It’s like a second family to me,” he said.
“Of course some years you are a little more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and the way we work as a team, nothing changes.”