Piastri makes 'wiggle room' claim over Verstappen and Norris' new mega F1 deals
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated: 18:56, 03 Sep
1 Comments
Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Oscar Piastri has had his say on Red Bull's Max Verstappen and McLaren teammate Lando Norris' new F1 contracts, claiming he would be "amazed" if there was no "wiggle room" for either parties in the sport's recent major deals.
Announced on either side of the Dutch GP weekend, Verstappen and Norris have committed to their respective teams until 2030, after many months of speculation in particular surrounding Verstappen and links to McLaren and Mercedes.
Piastri, the man many tipped to be replaced by Verstappen had he made the spectacular move to McLaren, was asked for his thoughts on recent long-term deals being announced in F1, and whether his mindset has changed amid extensions for Norris, Verstappen, and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
Piastri, speaking to GPblog, among others, said: "I don't think it changes a whole lot for me. I mean, I think it's probably better for us as drivers that there's a bit more stability around in general."
Read also
ADVERTISEMENT
Piastri raises 'wiggle room' point over Verstappen and Norris contracts
Photo: Race Pictures
Shifting attention to the likes of Verstappen, Piastri said he is "sure" there are clauses "in both directions" within these recent mega deals, before reflecting on the long-term benefits for drivers who are set to stay in F1 for years to come.
"Max has had a contract this whole time, and his contract's been spoken about almost every year for the last two or three years, Piastri added. "I'm sure there's clauses in both directions at various points through these contracts. I would be amazed if there's any massive contracts that have no wiggle room from the team side or the driver side.
"But I think it signifies a commitment to one another, which is a good thing if that's how things are going and just signifies the intent of wanting to work together, wanting it to work, you know, rather than a one or two year deal.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Even a two year deal is not that short, but a one year deal, obviously. It's nice to have a bit more certainty in how things are gonna go. And if things continue going the way you hope between yourself and the team, then it's nice to have that framework already already laid out."
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on GoogleRead more about:
latest news
Italian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 04.09.26
Practice 1
10:30 AM
Practice 2
02:00 PM
Saturday 05.09.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 06.09.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 04.09.26
Practice 1
Fri 10:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 02:00 PM
Saturday 05.09.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 06.09.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
Times are in your local timezone
Rumors
Popular on GPBlog
1
Ferrari urged to sacrifice Leclerc in F1 title fight: 'Lewis has to be the number one'
1499 times read
2
Lewis Hamilton makes statement Monza arrival in dream Ferrari F40
1333 times read
3
Good news for Hamilton: He will have Ferrari's priority in Monza Qualifying
1248 times read
4
Alonso shares new update on Formula 1 future with Aston Martin willing to wait
768 times read
F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 242 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 183 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 183 | |
4 | McLarenMCL | 159 | |
5 | FerrariFER | 155 | |
6 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 112 | |
7 | McLarenMCL | 104 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 68 | |
9 | Racing BullsRCB | 49 | |
10 | AlpineALP | 44 |
Loading
