Andrea Stella Dismisses Oscar Piastri Exit Rumours And Reaffirms McLaren Commitment

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has moved to shut down growing speculation linking Oscar Piastri with a departure from the Woking-based outfit.
Piastri, who is contracted to McLaren until the end of the 2028 season, has been the subject of rumours suggesting Red Bull view him as a potential future replacement for Max Verstappen.
The Australian driver led the drivers’ championship for several months last year before ultimately finishing third in the standings, behind team-mate Lando Norris and Verstappen.
Piastri has endured a difficult start to the 2026 season, currently sitting sixth in the championship and 10 points adrift of Norris.
Stella addressed the transfer speculation directly at last weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix during the team principals’ press conference, attributing the noise to the annual silly season cycle.
“You mentioned the silly season, and I think we are already fully in this silly season,” Stella said when questioned about the volume of driver transfer rumours circulating the paddock.
“When we think about Oscar, we couldn’t be happier. I think we are seeing the best Oscar in the cockpit and also a happy Oscar, and the best version of himself outside the cockpit.”
Stella also highlighted the positive working environment at McLaren, describing the team’s internal dynamics as particularly strong at this moment in time.
“Great dynamics and relationship with Lando, and I think the team is in its strongest shape since I’ve been team principal,” he added, stressing the importance of stability within the squad.
Questions were also directed at Stella regarding his own long-term future at McLaren, following the signing of Gianpiero Lambiase from rivals Red Bull.
Stella was unequivocal in his response, stating: “When it comes to myself, I’m definitely fully committed to McLaren.”
He spoke with evident pride about the team’s recent trophy haul, noting that their success had required an entirely new area of their cabinet at the McLaren Technology Centre to accommodate the silverware.
On the subject of Lambiase’s arrival, Stella framed the signing as a reflection of McLaren’s growing status within Formula 1 as a whole.
“At McLaren, we want to employ the best people in Formula 1, the best expertise, the best leaders. And the fact that GP decided to join McLaren, for me, just speaks to the credibility of our team,” Stella said.
Despite the positive messaging from the team principal, McLaren’s performance in Montreal was far from convincing, with the team’s tyre strategy coming under scrutiny after a gamble failed to deliver results.
Norris took an early race lead but was eventually forced to retire with a gearbox problem, while Piastri finished outside the points in eleventh position after receiving a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision.
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