Piastri voices concerns over Verstappen's potential F1 exit, deeming his departure a "huge loss" that would diminish the sport's competitive spirit.
Oscar Piastri, runner-up in the 2025 Drivers' Championship and McLaren Racing driver, has weighed in on Max Verstappen's increasingly pointed criticism of Formula 1's current regulations.
Speaking to the BBC, the Australian talent shared his thoughts on the four-time world champion's veiled retirement threats in response to the new rules: "I think it would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, especially at this stage of his career. It would be a huge loss for the sport as a whole. As drivers, we want to compete against the very best and prove ourselves against them."
"Max has shown his calibre over the last ten years — and particularly over the last five or six, he's been the benchmark. So I think it would be a real shame for everyone, and obviously not something good."
Verstappen is contracted with Red Bull through 2028, though various reports pointed to the existence of a so-called 'Helmut Marko clause' — which would have allowed Verstappen to leave freely if Marko departed the team. With the Austrian no longer at Red Bull, that clause is no longer a factor.
The ongoing turbulence within Red Bull has led Toto Wolff to speculate about the possibility of Verstappen eventually joining Mercedes. It has previously been suggested that the driver will ultimately choose the fastest car — making it Mercedes' responsibility to provide exactly that.
The controversy surrounding former team principal Christian Horner has done nothing but fuel further rumors and deepen the sense of instability within the reigning world champions' camp.
What Did Max Verstappen Say About F1 in 2026?
During an appearance on a BBC programme, Verstappen was brutally honest about his relationship with Formula 1 as it stands today: "I can easily accept being in P7 or P8 where I am, because I also know you can't dominate every race or always be fighting for a podium. I'm very realistic about that, and I've been there before."
"It's not like I've only ever been winning in F1. But at the same time, when you're in P7 or P8 and you're not enjoying the entire formula behind it, it doesn't feel natural for a racing driver. Of course I try to adapt to it, but the way you have to race isn't enjoyable. It's genuinely anti-driving."
"So at some point, yes — it's just not what I want to do. Of course you can look at it and say you're earning a lot of money. Great. But at the end of the day, this has never been about money for me, because this has always been my passion. It's like what you hear from a lot of athletes when you talk to them about what drives success."
"It's not as if stopping here would mean doing nothing. I'll always find things I enjoy. And I'll enjoy plenty of other things in my life. But it's a bit sad, honestly, that we're even having this conversation. It is what it is. You don't need to feel sorry for me. I'll be fine."