Former Haas Formulation 1 staff principal Guenther Steiner has warned that Oscar Piastri may discover his McLaren future underneath menace if he has one other season like 2026.
Piastri, who fought for the world title in 2025, has endured a a lot more durable marketing campaign this time round and is out of the combat for second within the championship with three rounds to go.Â
Talking on The Pink Flags Podcast, Steiner was requested what the 12 months says in regards to the Australian’s future, along with his co-host suggesting the 25-year-old is in “a little bit of a sizzling seat” and describing McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown as “form of a savage” with regards to driver modifications.
“If he has obtained one other 12 months like this subsequent 12 months, you’re proper. Zak will search for the following Oscar,” Steiner mentioned. “I imply, he wants to seek out him, however perhaps Liam Lawson is free.”
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Photograph by: Alastair Staley / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
Lawson has since been retained by Racing Bulls for 2027 alongside his rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad, that means any transfer to McLaren may solely come additional down the road. Steiner additionally named Haas’s Oliver Bearman as a driver with choices.
When requested about the opportunity of reuniting 2025 champion Lando Norris along with his former McLaren team-mate Carlos Sainz, Steiner added: “Zak will search for someone youthful. Everyone knows Zak is fairly good at discovering younger expertise. Zak likes to purchase them low cost as effectively.”
With three rounds remaining within the 2026 season, Piastri sits seventh with 152 factors. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli secured the title on the Mexican Grand Prix, however the combat for second continues. Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen sits second with 279 factors. George Russell is third with 262 factors, Lewis Hamilton is fourth with 261 factors, Charles Leclerc is fifth with 249 factors and Norris is sixth with 246 factors.
We would like your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
– The Motorsport.com Group