Mark Webber: "Piastri has a long-term contract with McLaren, the rumors are total nonsense"

Mark Webber reacted sharply to the latest wave of rumors surrounding Oscar Piastri's future and categorically denied that the Australian is planning to leave "McLaren". The former Formula 1 driver and current manager of Piastri emphasized that his client has a long-term contract with the team and has no intention of leaving at the end of the season.

In recent days, reports have emerged that Piastri could leave "McLaren" and move to "Red Bull", while at the same time Max Verstappen could arrive in his place at the Woking-based team. The speculations intensified against the backdrop of tension surrounding the Dutchman, who continues to express serious dissatisfaction with the situation at "Red Bull". At Silverstone, the three-time world champion retired due to a rear wing issue and missed out on an almost certain podium, and during the weekend his father Jos Verstappen and his manager Raymond Vermeulen were spotted in talks with team boss Laurent Mekies.

Parallel to this, it is claimed that Oscar Piastri is also strongly dissatisfied with his treatment at "McLaren" and has already held talks with other teams. "Red Bull" has long been linked with an interest in the 25-year-old driver and, according to various sources, would like to sign him in the event of a split with Verstappen.

Against this background, Mark Webber clarified the situation. "Oscar has a contract with McLaren for the foreseeable future," he told "Racer". "The rumors that he is pushing to leave are total nonsense." The manager added that "many works of fiction" have been written about Piastri and other teams, but the real picture is different – the driver is fully focused on his current team and the project in Woking.

However, Piastri is going through a difficult period. The Australian has yet to win since the start of the season, and his last podium finish was in Miami. In the last race at "Silverstone", he finished outside the points after damaging his front wing immediately after the start. Nevertheless, Webber is categorical that this changes nothing regarding his future: Oscar is staying with the team and is not planning a transfer.

"Many works of fiction have been written about him and other teams. McLaren have repeatedly stated that they want him for the long term. Oscar is focused precisely on that," the former "Red Bull" driver further emphasized.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown also repeatedly denied the possibility of parting with Piastri in search of a place for Verstappen. "I am very happy with my two drivers, Lando and Oscar," Brown said at Silverstone. "I think that whenever a name like Max – a four-time world champion – is mentioned, everyone gets very excited, but I am very happy with our driver lineup."

According to him, there is currently no real basis to think about Verstappen arriving at "McLaren". "I haven't actually thought about what I could offer Verstappen because I already have two drivers. What I couldn't offer him was a seat in my race cars. Any conversations didn't lead to anything. I have two drivers, so I have nothing to announce," concluded the team's CEO.