Alex Jacques believes Oscar Piastri is the obvious choice to replace Max Verstappen at Red Bull
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images Formula 1 commentator Alex Jacques has suggested that Oscar Piastri might be on Red Bull’s radar as a potential replacement for Max Verstappen. Questions about Verstappen’s future have only grown over recent months, fuelled by his clear dislike for the current regulations. After last month’s Japanese Grand Prix, reports emerged that Verstappen is seriously considering walking away from F1 at the end of 2026.
The situation became even more uncertain last week with news that Gianpiero Lambiase will leave Red Bull to join McLaren in 2028. Could Oscar Piastri be on Red Bull’s radar? With Verstappen’s plans still unclear, F1 commentator Alex Jacques has suggested that Red Bull may have their eyes on McLaren’s Oscar Piastri as a possible successor.
While discussing the future prospects of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, Jacques highlighted the potential opening at Red Bull should Verstappen step away from the team. The commentator went on to say that Piastri would ‘undoubtedly’ be a target for the Milton Keynes-based outfit. Speaking to Formula 1 , he said: “It’s a very big if, but if Verstappen were to leave Red Bull it would of course open up a seat at the multiple championship-winning team.
” Piastri hasn’t won an F1 race yet, but he has continued to impress since joining McLaren in 2023 and looks poised for big things ahead. Oscar Piastri again linked with Red Bull Oscar Piastri’s name has come up in connection with Red Bull more than once, and recent talk in the paddock suggests a move could happen as early as 2027. Rebecca Clancy, speaking on the Inside the Piranha Club podcast , mentioned that there have been growing rumours about a potential switch to Red Bull.
After the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, she said: “What about this relationship between the drivers because there were a lot of rumours about Piastri. We know that both McLaren drivers are signed on multi-year contracts; they never tell us exactly how long. “Piastri’s contract is thought to the end of 2028; however, there were a lot of rumours in the paddock over the weekend that Piastri was looking to join Red Bull from 2027.