'News to me': 'Flattered' Oscar Piastri shuts down rumours of Red Bull switch
Oscar Piastri said he is "flattered" to be linked to a potential Red Bull move, but insists reports he's in discussions with the energy drinks brand are "news to him".
Talks of a potential switch had ramped up in the weeks since the Miami Grand Prix amid reports Piastri was top of Red Bull's wish list should Max Verstappen elect to leave the sport at season's end.
Speaking in Montreal ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, Piastri said there was nothing doing.
READ MORE: 'Absolute shock': Two-time NASCAR champ dead at 41
READ MORE: Fans fume as primetime AFL game becomes 'unwatchable'
READ MORE: Cricket Australia staffer probed over $600k contract claim
"It is news to me – there's obviously not been any discussions or anything," the Aussie star said.
"But it's flattering and there's not really much more than that, really. Hopefully it proves my stock as a driver, which is a nice thing, but I'm very happy with where I am.
Oscar Piastri has shut down rumours of a potential move to Red Bull. Getty
"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."
The rumours of a potential Red Bull switch were further strengthened by manager Mark Webber's connection to the team. He took all nine of his grand prix victories with the Milton Keynes squad.
But the likelihood of Verstappen leaving the grid have dwindled since Miami, following confirmation from rule makers they would make further tweaks to the engine regulations for 2027.
The much-maligned 2026 overhaul boasted an even 50-50 power split between the combustion engine and electric motor. That balance will be moved closer to 60-40 in favour of the combustion engine for next year, which will reduce the need for significant energy management around the lap.
Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. Formula 1 via Getty Images
Verstappen, fresh off his heartbreaking 21st-hour retirement from the lead of the Nürburgring 24-hour, said the tweaks would "make the product better".
"So that means I'm happier, and that's what I want – to be able to continue and perform well," he said in Montreal.
"For me, I'm happy where I'm at. I see the team really progressing, and that's also very exciting to see."
Verstappen went on to seemingly confirm suggestions his quit threat was a bluff aimed at getting the unpopular regulations changed.
"I always wanted to continue anyway, but I always wanted to see change, and I think the change that's coming now is definitely very positive – or at least, I would say, almost back to normal – so that's good," he said.
"Hopefully that will happen next year. That will already help a lot, because I've always said it doesn't matter if I had a good car or not. It's just the product, and I think the product will improve like that, so naturally I think the enjoyment will go up as well."
F1 returns to action at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal this weekend. A lone practice session will kick action off on Saturday morning (AEST), before qualifying for the sprint race.
The sprint race and qualifying for the grand prix will then be held on Sunday morning, before the main race on Monday.
Canadian Grand Prix schedule (AEST)
Practice: Saturday 2.30am
Sprint qualifying: Saturday 6.30am
Sprint race: Sunday 2am
Grand prix qualifying: Sunday 6am
Grand prix: Monday 6am
