P1racenews AI automatic summary:
“If McLaren don’t dominate next year, one of them is going to look for a way out.”
Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has cautioned McLaren about the possibility of one of their drivers seeking to depart the team if they lose in this season’s title race. With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri separated by just one point at the top of the standings, both drivers face a threat from Max Verstappen, who trails Norris by 36 points. The upcoming new technical regulations for next year could represent Norris and Piastri’s best, and potentially only, opportunity to secure an F1 championship.
Montoya anticipates that the McLaren driver who misses out on the title might seek a change for the 2027 season. As the driver movement landscape for 2027 takes shape, most teams are opting for stability, with only Red Bull and Racing Bulls expecting different line-ups. Speculation may intensify over the futures of drivers like Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso, while Lance Stroll’s fate could hinge on Aston Martin’s title ambitions.
Aston Martin, supported by Honda and led by Adrian Newey, could seek a star driver if Alonso retires after 2026, with names like Verstappen, Leclerc, and Piastri emerging in the mix for potential moves.
