Piastri's camp responds to Verstappen claims

A clear response has arrived from the camp of one of the most-mentioned names regarding the Max Verstappen-McLaren rumours, Formula 1's number one talking point of recent weeks. Oscar Piastri's manager Mark Webber broke his silence on the speculation over the Australian driver's future and rejected the claims in firm terms.

"Oscar is contracted to McLaren for the foreseeable future," Webber said, continuing: "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."

The ground beneath the rumours had strengthened steadily in recent weeks. Following Verstappen's DNF at the British Grand Prix, the Dutchman's potential move to McLaren became the biggest debate in the paddock; Piastri, linked with direct swap scenarios, was the name most frequently cited as the driver who would make way in any such transfer. Unfounded claims even circulated suggesting the Australian was unhappy at McLaren and wanted to consider his options.

The picture, however, is different: Piastri, who holds a multi-year contract running until at least 2028, said during the Silverstone 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." McLaren CEO Zak Brown also brushed off the speculation: "They're rumours. 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 I'm very happy with our driver line-up." As uncertainty continues on Verstappen's side, the message from Piastri's camp is clear: he is not the one leaving.

Source: RACER
Image: BBC Sport