Oscar Piastri has conceded to feeling “flattered” by the surprise rumours linking him to Red Bull should Max Verstappen leave the team.
Following the Miami Grand Prix at the start of the month, speculation emerged that Piastri was Red Bull’s top target to replace the four-time F1 champion at the Milton Keynes-based organisation.
Over the first few months of this campaign, Verstappen has heavily criticised the new cars following a major regulation overhaul, leading to his overall lack of enjoyment with the style of racing in Formula 1.
The 28-year-old Dutchman has refused to dismiss suggestions he could leave at the end of the current campaign, although ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, he has at least indicated the sport is heading in the right direction with a shift to a 60-40 power split between combustion and electrical energy for next season.
Red Bull, though, is rumoured to be keen on signing Piastri as the replacement for Verstappen should he decide he definitely wants to call it a day.
As to whether he was flattered by the link and whether the speculation was news to him, speaking to the media, including ApexF1News, ahead of this weekend’s grand prix in Montréal, Piastri said: “It is news to me, yes.
“There’s obviously not been any discussions or anything, but it’s flattering, and there’s not really much more than that.
“Hopefully, it proves my stock as a driver, which is a nice thing.”
He then firmly nailed his colours to the McLaren mast by adding, “But I’m very happy with where I am.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in this team that we are going to be able to win races and hopefully championships in the future, so I’m very happy where I am.”
