Analyst: Oscar Piastri May 'Look Elsewhere' if McLaren Infighting Continues
Former F1 executive Marcin Budkowski suggests Oscar Piastri could leave McLaren after 2026 if his rivalry with Lando Norris sparks further infighting or the team loses its competitive edge.
Former Alpine executive Marcin Budkowski believes Oscar Piastri could start exploring options outside McLaren if the 2026 season is marred by continued internal conflict with teammate Lando Norris or a dip in the team's competitive form.
Why it matters:
Piastri's potential departure would be a seismic shift for the reigning constructors' champions, potentially destabilizing the team's golden era and creating a major vacancy in the driver market. His relationship with Norris, a key dynamic in their 2025 title battle, is now under scrutiny as a factor that could define McLaren's long-term success and ability to fight for future championships.
The details:
- 2025 Title Fallout: Piastri held a 34-point lead over Norris after the Dutch GP but a late-season slump, including on-track clashes in Singapore and Austin, saw him slip to third in the final standings behind Max Verstappen.
- Driver Tensions: The incidents between the McLaren teammates intensified during the championship fight, raising concerns about team harmony and the potential for repeat conflicts in 2026.
- Budkowski's Insight: The former F1 executive noted that 'the Oscar camp is less happy than the Lando camp,' suggesting the championship loss has created a significant rift that could influence future decisions.
- The Case for Staying: Despite the friction, Budkowski acknowledges that leaving a 'double world championship team with a Mercedes engine' is a difficult proposition, making McLaren's 2026 on-track performance the critical deciding factor.
What's next:
The situation is a 'waiting game,' with the 2026 season's performance and driver dynamics set to dictate Piastri's future. Budkowski speculates that manager Mark Webber is already monitoring opportunities, but a final decision likely won't be made until the middle of the season. If McLaren falters or the Norris-Piastri relationship sours further, expect Piastri's camp to actively 'look elsewhere' for 2027 and beyond.