Christian Horner identified “the next Max Verstappen,” but Formula 1 competitors strategically secured a valuable asset, leaving the Red Bull chief acknowledging their clever move.
While most F1 team principals would be satisfied with a single dominant driver like Max Verstappen, Horner laments missing out on another promising talent.
Oscar Piastri made an impressive debut in Formula 1 with McLaren, a decision that didn’t align with Horner’s preference. Despite Red Bull’s interest, the Australian driver chose McLaren midway through the 2022 season, opting out of Alpine, his longtime supporter through junior categories.
Guided by manager and mentor Mark Webber, Piastri’s bold move not only secured him a spot on the grid but also placed him in a team that rivaled Red Bull’s performance in the latter part of the 2023 season.
Even before Piastri entered the top-tier racing, Horner had praised him on the Netflix Drive to Survive show, expressing regret over not securing the young talent during his formative years. In a podcast appearance, Horner acknowledged Piastri’s success in Formula 3 and Formula 2 and lamented Red Bull’s missed opportunity to sign him earlier.
Aware of the attention Piastri was attracting, McLaren swiftly secured the young driver with a long-term contract until the end of the 2026 season. This strategic move gives McLaren leverage in negotiations, particularly if teams like Red Bull express interest in acquiring Piastri.
Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok commended McLaren’s strategic foresight, describing their move to lock down Piastri as a brilliant decision. With both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri under contract, McLaren has achieved driving stability and strengthened their negotiating position for the upcoming seasons.
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