Piastri-to-Red Bull move put on alert: ‘I’ve seen that on many occasions'

Some time ago, GPblog reported that Piastri would represent the most logical candidate to replace Verstappen in the event of a Red Bull departure. More recent reports have also suggested that Laurent Mekies and Oliver Mintzlaff would be prepared to make a serious attempt to lure the Australian away from McLaren should Verstappen signal his intention to leave the team.

Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Smedley reflected on the difficult situation drivers can face when struggling against a teammate inside a top team, drawing comparisons with his time at Ferrari. He questioned whether leaving for a less competitive outfit - where a driver might become the clear number one - is really worth it if that team ultimately has little chance of fighting for a world championship.

However, David Coulthard believes Ferrari would represent a more natural destination for Verstappen than Mercedes if the Dutchman were ever to leave Red Bull in the future. The former Formula 1 driver feels Verstappen’s personality and lifestyle would align more closely with the environment typically found at the Italian team.

Speaking on the Up to Speed podcast, Coulthard explained that Verstappen would likely enjoy greater freedom at Ferrari, particularly when balancing Formula 1 with his various activities away from the paddock, including GT3 racing commitments. According to the Scot, the Ferrari setup would suit Verstappen’s straightforward approach better, allowing him to focus primarily on driving, competing and returning home without the kind of structure usually associated with Mercedes.

GPBlog's Ludo van Denderen has also explained. "It’s not surprising that Red Bull is looking at Piastri. The Austrians recognise the Australian’s potential, who last season seemed for a long time to be on track for the world title. Piastri is not the finished product yet, and there is certainly room for growth in his performances. Moreover, there is currently no one on the F1 grid who fits Red Bull’s profile, perhaps with the exception of Andrea Kimi Antonelli. However, Mercedes would never let the Italian go."