Is Oscar Piastri’s Time at McLaren Coming to an End?

Oscar Piastri’s rise in Formula 1 has been nothing short of spectacular, but recent events have left fans and insiders alike wondering if the young Australian’s future lies at McLaren. What if everything we’ve witnessed this season—the controversial team orders, the chilly radio messages, the puzzling pit stops—signals the end of his time with the team? Could it be that Piastri is already on the verge of walking away from McLaren, and perhaps Formula 1’s most influential manager, Mark Webber, already knows this?

Let’s unpack the situation and take a closer look at the implications, as the simmering tension at McLaren could soon come to a boil.

The Unspoken War for McLaren’s Future

It all started at Zandvoort, where Oscar Piastri clinched pole position, led every lap, and took home the win. McLaren had a new star—one who was calm, calculated, and dominating on the track. Yet, despite the glory of this victory, it was overshadowed by the disastrous race for Piastri’s teammate, Lando Norris, who suffered an engine failure and failed to finish. The comparison between the two drivers was stark: Piastri was leading the championship with a consistency and composure that marked him as a future title contender, while Norris, despite his talent, seemed caught in a whirlwind of frustration and misfortune.

But then came the Monza race, where the first signs of a looming fracture became evident. Lando Norris, once again, had a botched pit stop, dropping him behind Piastri, who was on course to further cement his championship lead. And then, the unthinkable happened. McLaren made the call: “Let Lando through.” The message wasn’t a gentle suggestion, but a directive from the team—a move that would ultimately define the shift in dynamics at McLaren.

The Chilling Radio Call: A Moment of Betrayal

At this moment, the simmering tension between the drivers boiled over. Piastri, calm but visibly frustrated, responded to the team order with an icy remark: “I mean, we said a slow pit stop is part of racing. I don’t really get what’s changed here, but if you really want me to do it, then I’ll do it.” His tone was not one of anger but one of disillusionment. It was a moment that told the world more than words could express—a moment of betrayal that wasn’t just about the race, but about respect, fairness, and team dynamics.

The backlash was immediate. Fans flooded social media with comments, dissecting every nuance of Piastri’s radio message. Many saw it as a symbol of his growing dissatisfaction with the team, and rightly so. This wasn’t a driver simply following orders; this was a driver who was being treated unfairly, forced to make way for a teammate who had just had a stroke of bad luck. And it was hard to ignore the contrast between the two drivers.

Piastri had been consistent, steady, and above all, the one showing real championship potential. Yet, Norris, who had the backing of both the team and the media, continued to receive the preferential treatment. But the question remained: why?

The Hidden Politics at Play

Mark Webber, a man who knows all too well what it feels like to be in a team that plays favorites, was watching closely. Having spent years at Red Bull alongside Sebastian Vettel, Webber had witnessed the tension that arose when the team favored one driver over another. That driver was Vettel, and Webber was forced into the role of a “number two.” He never fully accepted that label, and as his career progressed, he made sure to speak out against the favoritism that he felt was destroying the spirit of fair competition.

Webber’s recent comments about Piastri are not just a defense of his young charge but a warning shot. In a bold statement, he pointed out that, in terms of the number of kilometers spent in the lead, Piastri was well ahead of Norris. That wasn’t just a statistic—it was a statement of dominance, one that highlighted how Piastri had been the more consistent, reliable driver. But this reality hasn’t been reflected in the team’s treatment of him. In Webber’s eyes, McLaren was making the same mistake that Red Bull had made all those years ago: they were backing the wrong driver, and they might be doing it again.

The Pressure Building on McLaren

The situation at McLaren was becoming increasingly untenable. The team was not just choosing one driver over another; they were setting the stage for a battle that would decide the future of both drivers and the future of the team. For all of Piastri’s calm, his talent, and his composure, there is a limit to how much any driver can take before the emotional toll becomes too much. And that limit may be closer than we think.

By continuously placing Norris ahead—despite Piastri’s superior results—McLaren risked losing one of the brightest young talents in Formula 1. The question that everyone was starting to ask was no longer, “Will Piastri win a title with McLaren?” but, “Will he leave before he even has the chance?”

Webber’s influence and his ability to speak up for Piastri make it clear that he will not let McLaren continue down this path. If the team continues to play these games with team orders and preferences, Piastri will not hesitate to walk away from McLaren. The silence from the McLaren bosses may be deafening, but Webber’s words are loud and clear.

A Potential Exit: The Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari Rumors

As the 2025 season progresses, speculation about Piastri’s future grows louder. Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari are all keeping a close eye on the situation. These teams are well aware of Piastri’s potential, and they would not hesitate to snap him up if McLaren fails to treat him with the respect he deserves.

For Piastri, his future in Formula 1 is not just about race results; it’s about respect. He wants to be treated as the equal of anyone else in the team, and he wants to be given the opportunity to fight for championships. If McLaren cannot provide that environment, he will find it elsewhere.

Imagine Piastri at Ferrari, going head-to-head with Charles Leclerc. Or at Mercedes, possibly waiting for Hamilton’s throne to be vacated. Even Red Bull could provide him with the platform to challenge for titles—something McLaren might no longer be able to offer.

The Clock Is Ticking: Will McLaren Realize What They Have?

The clock is ticking. Nine races remain in the season, and while Piastri leads the championship, McLaren’s continued preference for Norris could lead to irreversible damage. As we saw at Monza, every subtle team decision—every order and every decision about who gets priority—could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Piastri is more than just a championship contender; he is a future champion. If McLaren fails to recognize this, they risk losing him to a team that values his talent and is willing to give him the platform to succeed. History shows that in Formula 1, talent doesn’t wait. It gets scooped up by teams that recognize its worth, and those teams move quickly when the opportunity presents itself.

The Final Question: Is McLaren Betting on the Wrong Driver?

As the 2025 season progresses, McLaren faces a choice: double down on the narrative they’ve built around Lando Norris, or embrace the undeniable truth that Piastri is the future. Will McLaren recognize Piastri’s immense potential before it’s too late, or will they allow the opportunity to slip away?

Oscar Piastri’s future is hanging in the balance. McLaren must decide if they will continue to back Norris or if they will pivot to support their true championship contender. If they don’t, then don’t be surprised when Piastri signs elsewhere, and McLaren realizes too late what they had in him.

The quiet ones don’t stay quiet forever, and Oscar Piastri may be the next great talent to leave a team behind if they don’t wake up before it’s too late.