P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Helmut Marko set tongues wagging earlier in the week by suggesting Mark Webber wanted to talk with Red Bull over Oscar Piastri, who quickly refuted the claims. Now, the Austrian has moved to explain his initial comments.
Helmut Marko sought to clarify his earlier comments, implying that manager Mark Weber is in talks for Oscar Piastri to join Red Bull. Piastri swiftly denied this, joking that F1 wouldn’t be the same without Marko’s remarks. While Marko’s statements may not align with reality, they feed into existing rumors in the paddock. With McLaren focusing on Lando Norris for the rest of the 2024 season, speculation arises that Piastri and his manager won’t accept secondary positions. Weber’s past dissatisfaction as Sebastian Vettel’s support at Red Bull adds complexity to the speculation. These rumors could also unsettle Red Bull’s rival, McLaren, explaining Marko’s motives. Despite attempts to downplay his words, Marko confirmed regular discussions with Weber, expressing uncertainty about Piastri’s future with McLaren.
