Red Bull Targets Oscar Piastri as 'Plan B' Amid Verstappen Exit Fears

Red Bull Eyes Piastri as Verstappen Uncertainty Mounts In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, Red Bull Racing has reportedly identified McLaren standout Oscar Piastri as their primary target to succeed Max Verstappen. According to reports surfacing within the last 48 hours, team principal Laurent Mekies and Red Bull’s head of motorsport, Oliver Mintzlaff, have designated the young Australian as their "Plan B" should Verstappen choose to exit the team or the sport entirely. The four-time world champion is currently under contract until 2028, but his mounting frustration with the new 2026 technical regulations** has fueled intense speculation about a premature departure.

Performance Woes and Regulatory Frustration The 2026 season has been a grueling one for the Milton Keynes-based squad. For the first time in years, Max Verstappen has failed to secure a single podium finish in the opening four races, leaving him currently 9th in the driver standings. Verstappen has been vocal in his criticism of the current car era, infamously labeling the new rules as "anti-racing" and comparing the experience to "Formula E on steroids." Following an 8th-place finish in Japan and a hard-fought 5th-place result at the Miami Grand Prix, the Dutchman’s focus appears to be shifting toward endurance racing, with a confirmed entry in the upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours. > "I already said from the very first lap in the Barcelona test that something was wrong... it is a bit of a jungle in the midfield," said Max Verstappen following the recent struggles in Miami.

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A New Era in Leadership This potential driver shift comes amid a period of massive internal upheaval for Red Bull Racing. Following the high-profile departure of longtime team principal Christian Horner last year, the team has struggled to maintain its previous dominance under the leadership of Laurent Mekies. The loss of design genius Adrian Newey to Aston Martin and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley to Audi has further complicated the team's recovery. While Red Bull has promoted Isack Hadjar to a full-time seat for 2026, the team reportedly views Oscar Piastri as the only driver with the necessary experience and "raw speed" to lead the organization if their star driver walks away.