P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull F1 advisor Helmut Marko has claimed Mark Webber is pushing the team to open up discussions over a potential move to sign his client Oscar Piastri.
“Red Bull has been trying to find a driver who can support Max Verstappen throughout the season since Daniel Ricciardo left in 2018. Sergio Perez has been in the role longer than his predecessors, Gasly and Albon, but rumors suggest he may be replaced due to performance issues. Despite a contract extension until 2026, there is no guarantee that Perez will stay for the next season, and Liam Lawson is seen as a potential replacement. Red Bull is open to considering drivers outside their own stable, such as Piastri, who is under contract with McLaren until 2026. Mark Webber, Piastri’s manager, is reportedly in talks with Red Bull about a possible switch for his driver. Verstappen believes Piastri is too talented to be a support driver and deserves the opportunity to compete at the highest level. Piastri, on the other hand, denies being in a clear number two driver position at McLaren and aims to perform well based on merit, not hierarchy. The decision regarding Perez’s future at Red Bull will be made at the end of the 2024 F1 season.”
