P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Oscar Piastri is contracted to McLaren until at least the end of 2028, but could he choose to depart at the end of this year?
Former Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski expressed support for Oscar Piastri potentially seeking opportunities elsewhere if internal conflicts persist at McLaren this season. Despite initially leading the drivers’ standings last season, Piastri faced a notable decline in performance, ultimately finishing third behind Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Tensions between Piastri and Norris escalated, resulting in on-track incidents during races in Singapore and Austin. The uncertainty looms over whether Piastri’s future with McLaren will continue, especially if unresolved issues or a lack of competitiveness persist. Budkowski hinted at the possibility of Piastri exploring other options based on the team’s dynamics and performance in 2026. As the season progresses, Piastri and his team may assess their next steps amid potential challenges within McLaren.
